Victor Lindelof has made some errors in pre-season (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has admitted Victor Lindelof will require time to adapt to Manchester United and the Premier League following his £31million arrival.

It had been expected that the former Benfica player would immediately be installed as Eric Bailly’s partner as first-choice pairing.

However having played alongside the Ivorian in Manchester United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer, Mourinho has not paired them together since.

It has been Phil Jones who has taken the place alongside Manchester United’s top centre-back most often and it would appear it will be the England centre-back who starts the new season at the heart of defence.

That, coupled with some shaky pre-season displays from Lindelof, have led to questions over the 23-year-old.

Manchester United's pre-season pairings

Vs LA Galaxy

First half: Jones / Smalling

Second half: Lindelof / Bailly

Vs Salt Lake City

First half: Lindelof / Jones

Second half: Bailly / Smalling

Vs Manchester City

Lindelof / Smalling

Bailly / Jones

Vs Real Madrid

First half: Bailly / Jones

Second half: Lindelof / Smalling

Vs Barcelona

First half: Smalling / Lindelof

Second half: Bailly / Jones

Vs Valerenga

First half: Eric Bailly / Phil Jones

Second half: Lindelof / Smalling

Phil Jones looks to be Mourinho’s favoured choice alongside Bailly (Getty)

However Mourinho insists he has faith in his summer signing – but he will need time.

‘Step by step, step by step,’ he said of the defender’s progress after Manchester United beat Norwegian outfit Valerenga 3-0.

‘Benfica is a giant club. I always think players coming from Benfica they come mentally ready because Benfica is a big club and the responsibility to play for them makes players ready.

‘But the Portuguese league is different, with different qualities and Benfica is one of the dominant teams so it’s more used to play with the ball than without the ball.

Lindelof in pre-season action (Getty)

‘He needs time. We are going to give him his time. Such a young player needs time.

‘Manchester United is a huge club, huge responsibility. The Premier League is the same so let’s give him time but I’m happy with what he’s doing step-by-step.’

Man Utd's pre-season fixtures

Man Utd 5-2 LA Galaxy
Man Utd 2-1 Real Salt Lake
Man Utd 2-0 Manchester City
Man Utd 1-1 Real Madrid (2-1 on penalties)
Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona
Man Utd 3-0 Valerenga
Man Utd 2-1 Sampdoria
Real Madrid (UEFA Super Cup) - Tue 8 Aug

Manchester United have one more pre-season friendly – against Sampdoria in Dublin on Wednesday. They then take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup before the Premier League season begins with a clash with West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday 13 August.

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