Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday will see us reconvene with former defender Victor Lindelof.
The Sweden international represented the Reds on 284 occasions, between 2017 and 2025, and was part of squads that won the Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as making it to two Europa League finals.
Victor left for Villa in the summer and has proved to be a valued member of Unai Emery’s UEFA Champions League-chasing side.
When Pau Torres was injured earlier in the campaign, he deputised well alongside Ezri Konsa, helping the Midlanders win the reverse fixture, and he’s also been a regular in the Europa League, with Villa through to the last 16 to face Lille, on Thursday.
Lindelof is sure to receive a warm reception if he does make it on to the pitch at Old Trafford this weekend, and Harry Maguire will be glad to catch up with his former defensive partner too.
The pair featured in the same back four on over 100 occasions and Maguire was effusive in his praise of his fellow centre-half, when taking part in our ‘Influencers’ feature earlier this year.
“I think Victor was an excellent player,”
Harry said.
“I believe he didn’t get the credit he deserved when he was playing at this club, although he obviously played so many games and he always played under managers.
“But he was an excellent player and we had an amazing relationship on the pitch.”
Maguire and Lindelof were the first-choice partnership for two seasons under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as we finished third and then second in the top-flight.
Harry – who is enjoying a fine season himself since returning from injury in January – recalls those times fondly, as the prospect of facing his old team-mate for the first time looms.
“The first two years I think, if I’m right, we kept the most clean sheets in Europe in the first year, and maybe second or third in the second season.
“We kept loads of clean sheets, we defended properly, we defended well.
“So I’ve probably played the most games with Victor, and I believe our relationship on the pitch was as strong as I’ve had with anybody.”