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Victor Lindelof keeping calm over lack of Manchester United chances

Victor Lindelof says he is happy to be patient at Manchester United despite finding himself on the fringes of Jose Mourinho's first team since his summer move from Benfica.

Lindelof, who cost United £31 million, a club record for a defender, has been restricted to just four starts this season.

The 23-year-old is yet to make a Premier League appearance and did not feature in the 18-man squad for the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last week.

Lindelof is set to get some valuable game time for Sweden in their World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Netherlands during the international break, and he says he is not concerned by his situation at Old Trafford.

"I feel no stress," he told Swedish newspaper Expressen. "I'm in one of the world's best clubs, it's clear that it's tough competition. But it may have the time it takes."

Asked whether he has been given any assurances by Mourinho, the centre-back added: "It's between me and him. But we talk and have a good dialogue."

Lindelof's opportunities so far have come in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, with Mourinho suggesting he is not ready for the Premier League.

Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have established themselves as Mourinho's preferred centre-back pairing, starting six times together this season and keeping five clean sheets.

Lindelof also faces competition from Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo, once the latter recovers from knee surgery.

Sweden coach Janne Andersson has described Lindelof's struggles to break into the United team as "frustrating" and "unfortunate," but Mourinho insists his summer signing will get chances.

"Victor will be given time and no pressure for his evolution," the United manager said last month. "He has a very specific position on the pitch and he needs time. He will be given time but also opportunities.

"Because just time and no opportunities to play, then the evolution gets slower. He needs time, no pressure, but also he needs opportunities. The fact that he played against Basel and then against Burton -- and then in the future he's going to have more opportunities to play."