Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag picked Victor Lindelof alongside Lisandro Martinez in defence against Fulham, ahead of Harry Maguire.
The Swede has been the preferred pick in defence since Raphael Varane went down with injury.
Last weekend against Aston Villa, Lindelof didn’t have a great game. He responded well with a strong performance at Craven Cottage.
Fulham pushed United right to the end, and dominated parts of the game, putting United under pressure.
Lindelof and Martinez held up well to Fulham’s pressure, with David de Gea helping them out when called upon.
Lindelof justifies selection
Lindelof repelled many of the Fulham attacks sent in his direction, getting stuck in physically. He made a total of 12 clearances, two more than Martinez’s eight.
He also won four of four aerial duels. Martinez won four of five contested, with Manchester United’s centre-backs coming out on top.
Lindelof blocked one shot, and made one interception, also winning three of five ground duels contested.
The game required a strong defensive effort from United, with Fulham attempting 14 efforts at goal.
It was typically Dan James who scored Fulham’s goal. Lindelof will wish he got tighter to his former teammate to prevent him from scoring the tap-in, but it’s hard to pin the blame for the goal on him.
He responded well, cutting out an attempted cross from James soon after. The way the team rallied after conceding, provided the platform for United to go on and win the game.
United will have a big role prepared for Lindelof when the Premier League resumes in December. With Sweden failing to qualify, he is the only of the club’s four centre-backs who is not heading to Qatar for the World Cup.