Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has explained what happened to Victor Lindelof after the defender had to be substituted in the win over Norwich on Saturday.
Lindelof was replaced in the 74th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo ’s penalty helped United secure a 1-0 win at Carrow Road.
The centre-back dropped to the floor and was shown pointing to his chest when the club’s medical staff came on to check on him.
The incident worried fans, with memories of Christian Eriksen’s collapse at the European Championship and Sergio Aguero’s problem with Barcelona fresh in the mind.
Rangnick confirmed after the final whistle that Lindelof had been withdrawn after complaining about a breathing problem.
"He doesn’t remember how it happened," he said.
"I suppose he had a collision with another player and couldn’t breathe. He had problems to breathe and his heart-rate was higher than normal so we had to replace him.
"We’ve had him checked and had some examinations done by the doctor.
"And, so far, everything seems to be okay but he still seems a little bit shocked. Hopefully he will be fit to play the game on Tuesday against Brentford."
Lindelof helped United keep a second consecutive Premier League clean sheet under Rangnick, with victory taking them level on points with fourth-placed West Ham.
United laboured against bottom side Norwich and needed goalkeeper David de Gea to make five saves to preserve the points.
The Spaniard was outstanding against the Canaries, but admitted that the result was secondary to the health of his team-mate.
“As soon as it was like difficult breathing and feeling strange, the game doesn’t matter or football. First of all is life,” De Gea told Sky Sports.
“We saw some players who are feeling a bit. I don’t know what was going on, but Victor was feeling his breathing.
“We saw already Eriksen, Aguero… so it is sometimes a bit difficult to see your player acting like this so it was better to change. I hope he is completely fine.”
United are now unbeaten in six games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in the wake of the 4-1 defeat by Watford on November 20.
Rangnick has picked up 1-0 wins against Crystal Palace and Norwich, while a much-changed side drew 1-1 with Young Boys in their final Champions League group game.
Next up the German boss will take his side to west London on Tuesday to face Brentford, who came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 on Friday night.
