Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is continuing to prove why he is starting over Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence.
Erik ten Hag had come under fire for choosing to ignore Raphael Varane with Jonny Evans looking to be the man who the Dutchman preferred.
However, Victor Lindelof’s performance at the heart of the defence alongside another resurgent defender in Harry Maguire showed that Ten Hag was vindicated by his decision.
It was a tough choice for the former Ajax boss but the former SL Benfica defender is continuing to impress alongside the former Leicester City defender.
Lindelof’s performance
There were some moans and groans on social media when Lindelof was handed a start over Varane but that decision was swiftly vindicated.
The worry with the Swedish defender was his weakness in the air and coming up against a Sean Dyche side, this was sure to be exposed.
Lindelof, however, dealt with the aerial bombardment very well. He won 75% of the aerial duels he contested as well as 100% of the duels he contested on the ground.
It’s clear that Ten Hag’s preference is for Varane, if he plays, to be on the right, but Maguire deserves to start over the Frenchman, at this moment in time, so there is no place for the Frenchman on the left.
With Lisandro Martinez out of the team until Christmas, Lindelof has been the man chosen after Evans suffered an injury against FC Copenhagen earlier this month.
Lindelof’s future
The Swedish defender had previously been linked with a move away from the club but with Varane’s future at Old Trafford uncertain, amid Bayern Munich’s reported interest, Lindelof may have his chance to cement his place in the centre-back rotation.
With performances like he put in at Goodison Park, Ten Hag will find it hard to drop the former SL Benfica defender even when Martinez returns from his long-term injury.
As for Varane, his future looks to be away from Old Trafford but the former Real Madrid defender, who is earning £340,000 a week according to Spotrac, cannot have any arguments about his place in the team currently.
The Frenchman may have to follow Maguire’s lead in getting his head down and working hard to get his place back in the United team.
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