Three potential winners from Victor Lindelof’s injury absence

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Victor Lindelof has been ruled out of Manchester United’s game with Atalanta through injury.

The club website reported Lindelof suffered a setback in Monday morning’s training session.

The Swede did not travel to Italy, and will now focus on trying to regain fitness for Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Lindelof featured as part of a back three for United against Tottenham on Saturday and helped to keep a clean sheet.

So his injury will prompt a re-jig for United, with a question over who should fill in.

Here is a look at three players who could benefit from Lindelof’s injury and start against Atalanta.

Eric Bailly

The straightforward option. Bailly would be a simple case of stepping into Lindelof’s spot in the front three.

The Ivorian has not played since September, and he will expect to be called up in Lindelof’s place.

A back three of Bailly, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire may even be superior to a trio with Lindelof in it.

Bailly made his comeback from injury away at Chelsea in 2020 a back three and played a starring role as United kept a clean sheet.

Alex Telles

United could simply elect to shift Luke Shaw to centre-back and play Telles at left wing-back.

Shaw has played this role several times before, including away at PSG last season.

Solskjaer certainly seems to prefer Shaw to Bailly in general, and Alex Telles is also deserving of more game time.

It is worth noting that the last time United did this was away at Leipzig, with neither Shaw or Telles playing well as United conceded two early goals in a 3-2 defeat.

Jadon Sancho

Lindelof’s injury could prompt a complete re-think. The 3-5-2 only seemed like a temporary measure anyway.

Solskjaer could go back to playing his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and give Jadon Sancho a go on the wing.

Sancho may enable United to play with more balance away from home than Mason Greenwood.

If Solskjaer does go with a 4-2-3-1, then Sancho has a good chance to start, which he probably does not have in a 3-5-2.

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