Lindelof injury leaves United boss Mourinho with defensive headache

important Champions League clash with Young Boys.

Recently crowned Sweden’s player of the year, the everimproving 24-year-old has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, starting the club’s last seven matches.

But Lindelof’s resurgence after a slow start to life at United has been derailed by a muscle issue, meaning Mourinho’s remaining centre-back options are Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones. Marcos Rojo – yet to play a minute this term – is also absent for the United manager, who has made his frustration clear at the club’s failure to reinforce the defence over the summer.

“He will be out for quite a while,” Mourinho said of Lindelof ahead of the Group H clash with Swiss champions Young Boys. “We have Bailly and Jones. Marcos Rojo has some little injury and Victor an injury – a proper injury – that will keep him out for a while, so Jones, Smalling and Bailly are the three we have at the time.

“[Lindelof] does the scan tomorrow but, by the experience of the medical department and the feelings of the player, he has a muscular problem and a muscular problem takes time. I would say if we have him for the difficualt Christmas period – where we need, if possible, every player to be available.” 0 Victor Lindelof: Has quickly become an ever present.