Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that Victor Lindelof is in contention to keep his place in the starting line-up for Manchester United's clash with Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
Lindelof, who is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2024, was drafted into the starting line-up at last-minute on Tuesday evening against Brighton & Hove Albion after Raphael Varane fell ill ahead of the pre-match warm-up getting under way.
The Swede slotted in at centre-back alongside Harry Maguire and, despite being thrown into the side at the 11th hour, produced a professional showing in what was his first outing since the 3-1 win over Brentford on January 19.
Although Varane has been declared fit to return against the Whites, Rangnick has refused to rule out the prospect of Lindelof retaining his place, meaning the German could have a tough decision to make.
"He's a top professional and he did well before he was ill and before he had the incident with his house," Rangnick explained, reflecting on Lindelof's recent performances.
"For me, from now on, he will play and he is also a candidate to play so we have enough players in the centre of defence who can play with a high amount of experience.
"In the end, it's the players themselves, who decide who is going to play on the next game [with their performances in training and matches]."
Rangnick is going to need as many options available to him as possible over the next few games as Sunday's tussle with Leeds is their first of three outings in the space of just seven days.
Rangnick continued: "We have to play one after the other, we are fully aware the game at Leeds is an important one for us to stay where we are right now in the table we have to win that game.
"Then, three days later, we have an important one at Atletico Madrid in a competition we would also like to proceed into the next round. And then three days later, we have another important one at home against Watford."
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