New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been handed some unwanted injury news after Victor Lindelof limped out of Sweden’s win over Slovakia on Saturday.
The defender suffered a groin problem early in the 2-1 victory and was forced off just 26 minutes into the contest.
The Sweden team confirmed from their official X account on Sunday morning that he has left the squad as a result of the injury.
‘Victor Nilsson Lindelöf leaves the squad after the groin injury he sustained in yesterday’s match,’ read the post. ‘Hoping for a speedy recovery.’
Sweden did just fine without the Red Devils man, with goals from Victor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak enough to keep them top of their Nations League group.
It is unwelcome news for Amorim as Manchester United have a few injury headaches in defence as he prepares to take charge of his first game at Ipswich on Sunday.
Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro are all still to play their first minutes of the season, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have not been fully fit.
Lindelof was unlikely to be Amorim’s plans to be in his starting XI, but his options in defence are looking concerningly thin as he takes on his new role.
Lindelof has made four Premier League appearances this season, all as a substitute, although he has started twice in the Europa League after recovering from a toe problem.
The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and is expected to leave the club, possibly even in January, although he insists he is not thinking about his future yet.
‘This is not something I think about,’ he said, via Sport Witness. ‘My focus has been to come back from the injury and play football again. But of course, there will be writings now what will happen when I am in my last year.
‘My goal is always to help the team. Now I have come back, made 90 minutes at United which has been very nice. It’s a different situation for me now.’
Lindelof briefly played with Amorim at Benfica before he left for Old Trafford in 2017 and is looking forward to reuniting with his new boss.
‘I was young at the time, and we didn’t have a relationship outside of football, but I’ve heard great things about him as a coach,’ the Swede said of the Portuguese.
‘It will be great to meet him again. It’s been many years since we played together.’
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