Manchester United’s defensive options have dwindled further with Victor Lindelof picking up an injury during Sweden’s Nations League game against Slovakia.
He was playing on the right side of a back three and picked up what seemed to be a hamstring issue and had to be substituted in the 26th minute.
The Swede had picked up a toe injury in pre-season which had kept him out for more than a month and he will be gutted after picking up another injury so soon after his return.
Since his return, the defender has had to play in multiple positions, at full-back and even in defensive midfield along with at the heart of the backline.
Lindelof injury
The centre-back had spoken about how happy he was to return to action and how much he was looking forward to working with new head coach Ruben Amorim.
Both were teammates once upon a time at Benfica and keeping in mind the number of injuries, the 30-year-old was in line for regular minutes at the start of the Portuguese’s tenure.
🚨⚠️ Victor Lindelof has been subbed off due to injury with Sweden tonight. pic.twitter.com/MUOLWfCXIx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 16, 2024
The former Sporting Lisbon manager likes to play with three centre-backs at the back and with Harry Maguire still sidelined and Leny Yoro get to get back to full fitness, Lindelof was an option to start against Ipswich Town.
But the injury might mean Amorim has to either change his preferred formation or come up with a solution from within the academy.
Formation change?
Jonny Evans and Matthijs de Ligt are the only fully-fit options at the coach’s disposal with medical tests set to determine the extent of Lisandro Martinez’s back issue.
As for the Sweden international, the injury will further cast doubt regarding his future. His contract with United ends in 2025 and currently, the club have no plans of offering an extension.
And if he fails to play and win over Amorim, an exit seems even more likely. Lindelof is free to agree a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from as early as January.
Juventus and AC Milan are interested in his services with the Rossoneri’s advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic praising his compatriot and refusing to diffuse the rumours.
United had tried to sell him in the summer only for a toe injury and his wage demands to scupper any chances of an exit.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
