Manchester United new boy Victor Lindelof feels 'pretty confident' in his abilities after his Old Trafford debut

  • Victor Lindelof played his first game at Old Trafford on Tuesday night 
  • He helped keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Basle in the Champions League
  • The Manchester United defender is being eased in by manager Jose Mourinho

Victor Lindelof is confident of proving his worth at Manchester United after stepping out at Old Trafford for the first time.

United acted quickly to make the long-standing defensive target Jose Mourinho's first summer signing, paying Benfica an initial £30.75million for the Sweden international's services.

Lindelof could cost a further £9m in add-ons, although if those clauses are achieved then the centre-back will likely have proved good value.

Victor Lindelof had a pleasing home debut for Manchester United against Basle on Tuesday

Victor Lindelof had a pleasing home debut for Manchester United against Basle on Tuesday

The defender kept a clean sheet on his Old Trafford bow as the Red Devils won 3-0

The defender kept a clean sheet on his Old Trafford bow as the Red Devils won 3-0

Many expected the composed 23-year-old defender to slot straight into United's defence, but Mourinho is easing him in to help his adaptation to the rigours of English football, much like Henrikh Mkhitaryan last term.


Having been reduced to a watching brief since the UEFA Super Cup, Tuesday's Champions League opener against Basle was Lindelof's first taste of playing at Old Trafford - a night the Swede will not only cherish but build on.

'I think it was a very good debut,' Lindelof said after the 3-0 win.

'To play my first match at Old Trafford is something I have really waited for. It felt really good.

'I played my own game and did what I was told to do on the pitch.

'Now I'm going to leave the match for a while and then watch the replay to see if there's anything that I could have done better.

'I feel pretty confident and know what I'm able to do.'

The Swede has been slowly eased into life at United by Jose Mourinho as he acclimatises 

The Swede has been slowly eased into life at United by Jose Mourinho as he acclimatises 

Mourinho plans to revert to the centre-back pairing of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones for Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton, but Lindelof is set to get another run out against Burton in the Carabao Cup next week.

Asked if he was aware of Mourinho's comments on his adaptation to Premier League life, the defender said: 'I have noticed what's been written, but it's not something that I have focused on.

'I try to focus on my game and add as much as I can to the team.

'(The defensive competition) feels good. They are all good players and I think it's easy to play with them all.

'We're going to play the system the manager thinks is the best. I'm used to playing with four at the back, but if Mourinho wants to play with five or three, that's no problem at all.'

Lindelof does not expect Paul Pogba's absence to prove too much of a problem either.

'It's tough to lose such a good player,' he said after the midfielder limped off with a hamstring injury against Basle. 'But we have good players who can cover for him.'

Manchester United were dealt a blow on Tuesday night when Paul Pogba injured his hamstring

United were dealt a blow on Tuesday night when Paul Pogba injured his left hamstring