Manchester United fans were deeply divided by Victor Lindelof after the Swedish defender’s second-half performance against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Luke Shaw was withdrawn for the second half of the Premier League contest, with Manchester United fans concerned over a potential injury to the left-back.
United manager Erik ten Hag surprisingly turned to Victor Lindelof as Shaw’s replacement, despite Fiorentina loanee Sofyan Amrabat on the bench.
Amrabat, who was brought to Old Trafford on deadline day in 2023, has played at left-back this season when England defender Shaw was previously injured.
Diogo Dalot started against Villa at right-back and has played at left-back this season, though Ten Hag didn’t switch him to the other flank when Shaw came off.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans have a lot to say about Rasmus Hojlund after his performance vs Aston Villa
Lindelof struggles for Man Utd
Rasmus Hojlund carried on his sensational goalscoring form after he fired Manchester United into the lead against Aston Villa at Villa Park in the first half.
However, Luke Shaw’s absence from the second half was felt and Lindelof underwhelmed United fans with his performance after coming off the bench.
Lindelof was ruled out of action near the end of 2023 after he underwent successful surgery on an injury, with the defender returning in the 3-0 win against West Ham.
Following his brief cameo at Old Trafford against the Hammers, Lindelof had a tough time dealing with Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey in Sunday’s clash.
Douglas Luiz struck in the second half and cancelled out Hojlund’s opener, but a superb header from Scott McTominay sealed a 2-1 win for United on the night.
But United fans had mixed feelings about what they saw from Lindelof so soon after his return from injury and questioned how Amrabat didn’t come on ahead of him.
Man Utd fans’ reaction to Lindelof’s performance
Red Devils supporters on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, even criticised Marcus Rashford for not offering more support to Lindelof on the pitch.
Rashford had little impact for United in the Villa match and was withdrawn in the second half for McTominay, who ensured all three Premier League points for United.
“Rashford not helping Lindelof out at all,” one fan said.
Another argued: “I’d rather have Amrabat at LB than Lindelof.”
Someone else commented: “Feel for Lindelof here, only just back from surgery [and he] is thrown into a big [match] at LB [and] tasked with controlling a dangerous Bailey!”
A fourth tweeted: “Luke Shaw going off has killed us. Lindelof looks lost out there, and so do the rest of the team.”
While a fifth posted: “Unai Emery wants to tactically disturb Lindelof. Diaby and Bailey doubling up on him. And Rashford will not track back to help [and] it’s Bruno who will naturally go and help.”
“Lindelof has come in with a stinker. He came in and we have already conceded,” another wrote.
And a seventh said: “Lindelof did well there, but he’s so panicked by Bailly that he’s consistently a couple of yards deeper than the rest of the back four.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/Bj2O54u