One man's misfortune is another's opportunity and Victor Lindelof will be hoping to make the most of his.
The Sweden international has been a bit-part player for Manchester United this term but is set to be thrust into the limelight in a season-defining week. Injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane mean they'll miss the Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday and much more besides - Martinez is out for the season and Varane will be missing for several weeks.
United visit Sevilla for the second leg of their Europa League last-eight tie on Thursday before an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley. With Harry Maguire suspended for the latter, Lindelof could easily start the next three matches.
Also read: United make Europa League squad change amid injury crisis
It would represent a change in fortunes for the 28-year-old, who has started only 15 games this term and just five in the league. He is down the pecking order at centre back with Luke Shaw preferred there at times, meaning Lindelof has managed just 550 top-flight minutes.
The Swede wants more game-time having struggled to find it under Erik ten Hag. The defender's long-term future is uncertain as he moves into the last 12 months of his Old Trafford contract.
Lindelof said a transfer wasn't on his mind when speaking on international duty last month during an interview where he made it clear he wanted to play more.
"Of course like every player, you want to play every game and obviously I haven't done that this season," he said. "I want to play, that's why I play football, I want to play games, but I haven't thought about that [transfer away], right now I'm just focusing on the national team and then of course, the rest of the season with the club. Then in the summer we'll re-evaluate and see what is best."
The summer conversations may well lead out of Old Trafford but for now Lindelof has the chance to stake a claim to feature more. Ten Hag has overlooked him at times this term but the United boss will now be relying on him to maintain the silverware pursuit on two fronts.
For the player, it's what he's been waiting for. Ten Hag and United will hope he's ready.
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