Why Lindelof Will Be A Fine United Player

Former Manchester United player and popular MUTV analyst Bojan Djordjic is backing Victor Lindelof to shine at Old Trafford, having noted his Swedish compatriot’s recent development.

Lindelof replaced the injured Marcos Rojo at half-time in Sunday’s Manchester derby and produced an accomplished performance, showing admirable composure and good form in difficult circumstances.

It was his 13th appearance of a debut season that has involved challenges for the 23-year-old, who arrived from Benfica in the summer and has required time to acclimatise to English football.

Yet, in recent weeks, Lindelof has started to show his true quality with the Reds and that is no surprise to our former Academy graduate Djordjic, who knows the player extremely well.

“Victor did well against Manchester City and it gladdens me to say that, because he had a really tough start and, when you have a tough start, supporters get on your back,” Bojan explained during his appearance on The Paddy Crerand Show. “Certain fans did it after the mistake against Huddersfield - and I think they should take a look at themselves first because, if you are a supporter of this club, then you always support. You have to give new players a little bit of time and a chance to adapt.

“I would love to see Victor playing alongside Eric Bailly, who has been injured. I think he needs a leader beside him, somebody he can trust so he can spread the balls. To come on in the derby and do that well was great. I am happy to sit here as a Swede and talk well about his development."

Expanding on the topic, Bojan went on to list Lindelof’s burgeoning list of achievements in football and highlighted the period of education that the great Nemanja Vidic utilised upon his arrival in 2006.

“Some fans need to let a player settle in before they go on social media and slaughter players,” he said. “This guy plays for the Swedish national team, he won the league and cup at Benfica and he has just taken Sweden to the World Cup as well, so there is a player inside.

“Playing for Manchester United is totally different to anything else in football because, with one mistake, people just write you off straight away. So people have to look with their eyes a little bit and see his quality. Not only does he have a brain, he is very strong mentally as well to cope with this and he is going to get better, and better, and better. It took the great Nemanja Vidic to settle here, and Nemanja Vidic was a totally different player in style. Just give him time and he is going to be a fine player for the club.”