Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof has revealed he has overcome a recurring back injury and is now ready to fight for his place in the first-team for next season.
The Sweden international made 29 appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the last campaign, but he struggled to cope with the demanding fixture list.
United’s defence was shaky at times and as a result, Solskjaer decided he needed to improve his current options and has agreed a deal in principle to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
The Frenchman is likely to be one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Harry Maguire next season, a defensive partnership that United fans hope will help the club win some much-needed silverware.
But in an interview with Manchester United ’s website, Lindelof has confirmed he is back to full fitness and ready to put the pressure on the Red Devils' new recruit.
He said: "I feel much better now. I’ve been working very hard on my back especially during the break.
“I struggled a lot with it last season and had to really play through it.”
The 29-year-old played every minute of Sweden’s Euro 2020 campaign this summer, helping them to the Round of 16 where they were subsequently knocked out by Ukraine in extra time.
Speaking about last season, Lindelof continued: “I played a game and then would need to rest for a couple of days and then it was straight into another game.
Will Lindelof get a chance to play next season? Comment below
“That was tough, but like I say I’ve been working very hard with different types of exercises and treatment, and I feel much better.
“It’s been very demanding, but you’re here to play games and I like the challenge.”
Despite such positivity, the former Benfica defender will certainly be questioning how many opportunities he will be given by Solskjaer when Varane arrives.
United are set to pay £41m for the defender and have agreed personal terms with him too, the contract is drawn and he just needs to sign on the dotted line.
However, the 28-year-old is struggling to make his way to Manchester at the moment as he is experiencing issues with his Visa, according to The Telegraph.
Consequently, this means the four-time Champions League winner won’t be unveiled in the iconic red of United for another week, which also means he won’t have played a match with any of his new teammates before the beginning of the 2021/22 season.
Solskjaer’s side takes on Everton on Saturday in their final game before the new campaign begins next week, and this gives Lindelof and fellow centre-back Eric Bailly the opportunity to put some pressure on Varane before he arrives at the club.
Bailly has previously warned United that he is only going to remain at the club if he is given the chance to show his worth.
In an interview with The Times in May, the Ivory Coast international said: "I just say that I want to stay in case I get the chance to play.
“I don’t want to be a starter one game and a substitute for another five.
The former Villarreal defender continued: "If that happens I will have to look for another solution.”
Now with the Varane deal all but complete, Bailly’s wishes for regular first-team football may only be granted if he departs Old Trafford; whether that prompts Lindelof to question his future at the club remains to be seen.
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