Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was praised following Sweden’s international victory over Albania.
One Manchester United player was in action on Monday night, with Victor Lindelof’s Sweden recording a 1-0 friendly win over Albania.
Victor Lindelof had been criticised after Sweden’s 5-2 defeat to Portugal last week. It was their first match under new boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, who had confirmed Lindelof would stay as captain before the game.
Now Tomasson has his first win as international boss, with Lindelof playing a key role in his side keeping a clean sheet in last night’s game.
Verdict on Victor Lindelof display
Victor Lindelof played all 90 minutes in Sweden’s morale boosting win. The team did not qualify of Euro 2024, and have also been relegated to UEFA Nations League C.
Sweden had made six changes to their team from the side which lost to Portugal, with Lindelof among those to retain his place.
The Manchester United defender helped his team to kept a clean sheet, completing 50 of 56 passes (89 per cent), and even created one chance.
He won five of seven duels he competed for and also blocked one shot. It was a competent display, with Lindelof praised for trying to contribute in attack too.
Swedish outlet Fotbol Skanalen rated the centre-back as one of Sweden’s three top rated players on the night.
Their report read: “The team captain was not clear in all actions but tried to drive the ball forward and contribute offensively. Dribbled away in the 24th minute in a dangerous position but stable otherwise. The leader in the back line that he should be.”
This was Lindelof’s 66th international cap. He will likely make number 67 in June when his side take on Denmark in a friendly.
Now Lindelof returns to Manchester United
The absolute key aspect of Victor Lindelof’s performance was that he came through the match unscathed with no injury. He is now set to return to Manchester to start preparation for Saturday’s game at Brentford.
He is one of only two fit senior centre-backs along with Raphael Varane, who has retired from international football.
Harry Maguire picked up an injury on international duty, while there are questions over Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans‘ fitness.
Lindelof and Varane are both at risk of being moved on from United this summer, but this coming weekend, the club are going to need them.