Lindelof is ready for the challenge in Gdansk
Victor Lindelof believes Manchester United's challenging route to the UEFA Europa League final has prepared the Reds for Wednesday's match against Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine are the third Spanish side United have faced in this season's tournament after comfortable victories against Real Sociedad and Granada.
Lindelof, like a number of his team-mates, is looking to lift his first trophy as a United player, a key moment in any Red's career.
"I came to here win trophies," the Swede stated in our pre-match interview.
"To have the chance to do that in the final is going to be huge.
“It’s been a great road to the final. You always want to play against the best teams and for us to get those games it’s been great for us because we always have to be on our toes and ready for everything. It’s been a great road here and hopefully we can finish the job and do a good job against a strong team, as Villarreal are.”
Lindelof played in wins for United against AC Milan, Granada and in the thrashing of AS Roma at Old Trafford. He also played in last year's semi-final defeat to Sevilla and is aware of the significance of a first trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"If we win the first one, we can get some momentum going, take it into the next season and have that mentality that you know you can do it," he explained.
"I'm going to give it my all. Villarreal are a very good team. They play good football and it's going to be a big challenge.
"They’re not in the final for no reason. They have been performing well and winning games so we have to be at our very best if we want to win the game.”
As well as the usual pre-match preparations of the coaching staff, Lindelof will have been able to learn about Villarreal from his centre-back partner Eric Bailly. The Ivorian plied his trade in the east of Spain for 18 months and is still in contact with some of his former teammates.
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One of the key battles in Wednesday's final will be Lindelof going up against free-scoring striker Gerard Moreno, who has scored 29 goals this season, including six in the Europa League.
Our centre-back will be buoyed by the presence of United fans, attending a first away match in 14 months in Gdansk, Poland.
"They give you so much energy and adrenaline," Victor enthused.
"It can make a huge difference. I'm not sure how many there will be in the stadium, but just to have fans there, they cheer for you, it's always great.
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“I just want to say thank you for all the support they’ve been giving us during this hard time that everyone has been living in, during this pandemic. I want to hear their voices, I want to hear them scream, even if it’s not always good things I want to hear their voices at the stadium. It’s going to be an amazing feeling to have them all back. I just want to say thank you for sticking with us and giving us that extra energy.”
United's record on the road this season is exceptional, having gone the entire Premier League season unbeaten away from home. One more victory on our travels is all it needs for a sixth major European trophy.