Former Manchester United duo Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga were involved in a World Cup battering as Sweden suffered defeat to The Netherlands.
There are 14 Manchester United players competing in the 2026 World Cup this summer, but plenty more former Red Devils are in the tournament.
Victor Lindelof left United in 2025, while Anthony Elanga was sold to Nottingham Forest for £15m in 2023. Both were called up to the Sweden squad by Graham Potter.
In their opening World Cup match, Sweden demolished Tunisia 5-1, but Lindelof and Elanga were on the end of a 5-1 defeat to The Netherlands on Sunday evening.
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Reaction to Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga losing 5-1
Elanga scored Sweden’s only goal against The Netherlands as Lindelof and his fellow defenders struggled to keep out the Dutch.
Sweden have now dropped down to third in their World Cup Group F.
National media were far from pleased with the performance, but Lindelof and Elanga were part of a small group of players who escaped the blame.
Swedish outlet Fotboll Skanalen actually rated Elanga’s performance as ‘good’ and added: “Came in with great energy and speed. Scored a goal straight after a sharp deep run and created a dangerous situation shortly afterwards.”
On Lindelof’s performance, they wrote: “The experienced centre-back looked calm from the start, unlike many of his teammates. He didn’t get to Crysencio Summerville for the 5-1 goal.”
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Sweden called a ‘sinking ship’ after World Cup disaster
Swedish newspaper Expressen slammed the entire Sweden squad for the performance against The Netherlands.
They have been labelled “a sinking ship” after the defeat. The BBC added that it was a “pathetic effort”.
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Lindelof has had success since leaving United, winning the Europa League, while Elanga has struggled since making a big £50 million move to Newcastle.
But on the international stage, they are in a struggling Sweden squad but two of their key players for the tournament.
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