Eric Bailly's public denigration of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, according to Ralf Rangnick, "should not happen at a football club at any level."
"Start Eric Bailly x Varane," an Instagram user demanded in response to a post on United's official account. Bailly responded with a laughing and praying emoji and the words 'please.'
One of the worst-kept secrets in the United locker room is Bailly's disdain of Maguire's privileges, and despite Raphael Varane's unavailability due to injury, the Cote d'Ivoire international did not start in the back three against Liverpool.
Bailly, 27, has made seven appearances for United this season, with Phil Jones, who has started two games in the past two years, ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order.
When questioned about Bailly's behavior, Rangnick was ignorant of the social media post and was told on it by the United press officer as he exited his pre-match news conference on Friday afternoon.
"I'm not on Instagram," Rangnick declared emphatically. "Listen, I'm not talking about my players not understanding what occurred at the press conference; it doesn't make sense." I can only say that I will never use Instagram in my life.
"If what you said is accurate, that should not happen in any football team, regardless of league."
United are willing to trade Bailly, who basically gave previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer an ultimatum that if he did not start in the Europa League final, he would seek a transfer.
The shaky star joined United for £30 million from Villarreal in 2016, but has only made 113 appearances for the club. Bruno Fernandes has more appearances than Bailly, who joined United three and a half years later.