“Day by day” – Manchester United defender absence worry, not joined up...

“Day by day” – Manchester United defender absence worry, not joined up with national squad yet

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A week ago we covered worries from Sweden over the situation surrounding Victor Lindelof.

The Manchester United defender was recently made captain of his national team, and is a key player for manager Janne Andersson, even more so during the current international break.

Filip Helander, another Swedish defender, is recovering from surgery and not close to being available, whereas Brentford’s Pontus Jansson hasn’t yet decided to come out of international retirement.

Lindelof is awaiting the birth of his second child and given the baby’s arrival is thought to be imminent, he’s stayed away from Sweden’s squad.

That means Andersson is seriously short of defensive options, and the country’s media have asked him about the situation and when the Manchester United will be expected back.

Fotbollskanalen quote him as saying: “He joins as soon as he becomes a father, which we hope is pretty soon. We have to take it day by day.

“Victor is a player who has been with us all our years and never disappointed me, and he knows how we play, so he does not need to have a long preparation time. I’m not afraid to throw him in late if necessary. 

“It is something I one hundred percent both understand and respect. It is clear that he will be at home with Maja when they have children.”

Lindelof has been back in the Manchester United team recently, thanks to Harry Maguire picking up an injury. The blow for the England international could be fortunate for his club teammate, and for Sweden, with Lindelof getting more match time and subsequent conditioning.

Good luck to Victor and Maja!