Victor Lindelof is the fourth-choice centre-back at Manchester United and he showed why in his only start of the season so far.
He played the whole game alongside Harry Maguire in the 1-0 Europa League loss to Real Sociedad last month and hadn’t been seen since, until Sunday. The Sweden captain came on for the injured Raphael Varane in the first half with club skipper Maguire also sidelined.
Last season, Lindelof enjoyed an unanticipated number of matches amid Varane’s persistent setbacks. In all he tallied 35 games, more than first-choice Varane’s 29.
READ MORE: Manchester United get Raphael Varane injury boost
If he wasn’t expected to feature so heavily last campaign, he certainly wasn’t this time around. Lisandro Martinez has pushed Maguire out of the side, pushing him further down the pecking order.
But the 28-year-old could have just been handed a lucky mini-break. Varane isn’t expected to be out for long but he might miss Thursday’s trip to Omonia in the Europa League.
Even if recovered, it isn’t thought Maguire would be ready enough for the trip to Cyprus meaning Lindelof could partner Martinez at centre-half. If neither Varane or Maguire are back fit by Thursday, then the odds of him starting against Everton on Sunday will be slashed too.
It offers Lindelof a chance for short-term redemption. The defender is identified by some fans as dead wood that needs chopping from the squad but others believe he's a quality player deserving of more chances.
Erik ten Hag was ultimately left with no choice but to hold onto Lindelof when Eric Bailly was granted a loan to Marseille in the summer, for the very scenario he finds himself in. Phil Jones is not in the official squads and Axel Tuanzebe is still injured.
Lindelof may have always been in line for a start against Omonia, but with a strong performance he can show that he is capable of starting against Everton, and thus convincing Ten Hag that he doesn’t need to rush either Varane or Maguire back.
He may never return to being a first choice starter for United - his showing against City evidencing this - but he can prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level.
And with more than 18 months still left on his deal, it will mean he will hold more value ahead of a potential sale next summer.
READ NEXT:
