Manchester United defender Eric Bailly values the relationship he has with fans.

The Ivorian has become a firm favourite with the fans since he arrived at the club 18 months ago.

"It makes me really happy when I see the fans speaking highly of me," the defender told MUTV. "It's quite key at a football club when you have the fans behind you, it means that you are making a positive contribution.

"What I need to do is to roll my sleeves up and keep working really hard so I can try and perform even better. It's very important to me and I want to try to continue in the same vein."

After a difficult few days due to the Champions League defeat by Sevilla, the Reds' next assignment is to beat Brighton at Old Trafford and Bailly is under no illusion that a place in next month's FA Cup semi-finals is a given.

"They are a team in form at the moment and they've got players to cause us problems," said the centre-back, assessing Saturday's visitors. "The very fact they've reached the quarter-finals shows the quality they have. We'll have to be on our guard and really switched on.

"We have to be careful and keep a close eye on this team, and as we know that, they won't be giving anything away for free."