Player ‘hopeful’ he can play for country – Despite being unavailable for Manchester United

Victor Lindelof is today joining up with the Swedish national team, despite being unavailable for Manchester United at the weekend.

The 25 year old missed the match against Newcastle United with a back problem, and couldn’t help as his club lost 1-0.

After the defeat, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to Norway’s Viasat, and said: “It was his back that locked completely at the end of the match (against AZ). He couldn’t walk. We thought he could join, but he probably needs rest for a week.”

If the Old Trafford boss thought that meant Lindelof staying at home in England, then he’s not getting what he wants.

Sweden coach Janne Andersson has explained at a Monday press conference that the country’s medical team will assess the player’s fitness and a decision will be made from there.

Fotbollskanalen quote him as saying: “The status is that we had contact yesterday and he has got something locked in the back. He’s said it felt reasonable but not so good that he could play (against Newcastle). Now our medical team is going to check on him here and I hope that something comes from it. I had SMS contact with him yesterday and then he was quite hopeful. But it may take a few days. We’ll see how long it takes.

“But we have a belief, based on the information we have right now, that he will get started during the week.”

Sweden face Malta on October 12th and then Spain on the 15th, both are qualifying matches for Euro 2020.

Manchester United’s next fixture is against Premier League leaders Liverpool on October 20th. Solskjaer will surely expect his defender to be rested against Malta, even if he improves in the coming days.