'Be confident, listen to others and speak up'

Our experienced defender has captained Sweden throughout their national-team system, all the way from the youth sides to the seniors. And while he does not wear the armband for United, he continues to be an influential and important presence inside the dressing room.  

Now in his seventh season at Old Trafford, Lindelof recently passed 250 United appearances and he is our fourth-most experienced player in terms of matches. Manchester is his home and from where his proud family supports his achievements - even if the children are still too young to fully appreciate the fact dad plays for the world’s greatest football club. 

Victor is excited about the day he can share his stories with the children, and the magnitude of what United represents, but, for now, his focus is on the youngsters inside our dressing room and helping them to progress as players, as you can see in our big interview, titled 'Team Player'.

“I always try to be a leader and try to help everyone at the club, to share my experiences, what I've been through and what you can think in certain situations,” says Lindelof, to club reporter Mark Sullivan.  “I think it's very, very important to do that and just find the right moment to talk to players, or even staff, or whoever it is. It's always nice to just help. And that's just the person I am. I try to do it and, hopefully, someone listens and can get some help from that.

“I think it's important to have a few players who are ready to take that responsibility. I just try to motivate the team and talk with the players. I think that's super important. And I grew up with three brothers as well, so, I mean, we've been playing a lot with each other. I think I also got a little bit of leadership from that too. Just to talk and be confident in myself.

“My biggest inspiration has always been my family. You know, we talk about everything, but obviously I was raised in a certain way and with values, and those are a big part of who I am. 

“Values and how to treat people, I've always had that in my mind. And I think it's super, super important to listen to people and not judge anyone before you know their story. And to always be kind to people. I think that's a good thing. And always be confident in yourself. 

“Speak up if there's something you don't agree with as well. And if you see something that you don't like, it's very important that you say that and you don't let it just pass by. Because I think, in a lot of situations, it's quite easy to just turn the head the other way, but I'm more of a guy who, if I see something that I don't think is right, I say it.”

Lindelof’s experience, professionalism and willingness to help the team has been underlined by the requirement to play in a number of positions, and most recently at left-back following a spate of injuries in that position. He will play anywhere Erik ten Hag asks him to, and feels comfortable doing so, thanks to a multi-functional background in the game.

“I grew up being a midfielder and then I became a centre-half in Benfica, so I can play a lot of positions,” explains our versatile no.2. “Obviously, my position is centre-half and that's where I'm most comfortable. But I'm just trying to help the team, and I play wherever the manager wants me to be.

"And if I play in another position, if it's not centre-half, then I just try to do the job and play the best way I can. Obviously, it's different from being a centre-half, a number six or a full-back. You have to think differently. But I think I can do a good job there as well.”

Lindelof’s positional agility is aided by his attention to detail and the marginal gains that can be achieved from speaking to coaches, including our team of analysts. He says it’s a team effort and they deserve great credit for their work behind the scenes. 

“Well, I think that's super important. I mean, we have a great, great team of analysts at the club and they are working very, very hard every day.

"And we go to a lot of clips and have meetings about how to find the right spaces and how to defend and how to attack. Obviously, they can also send you clips if you're playing against a striker or a winger or whatever. You can look through those clips and see what that player likes to do.

"So I think it's super important to be prepared well for the game and also for the player that you're playing against.”

At the time of writing, there are 10 Premier League matches left to play and United can still qualify for the UEFA Champions League. But, right now, the collective focus is on Sunday's Emirates FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool and a competition Lindelof is desperate to win. 

“I think everyone at the club wants it,” he concludes. “A club like United should always compete for trophies every year and, at least, try to win something each year as well. We have an opportunity to do that with the FA Cup this year. And that's obviously a goal that we have as a team, and we're going to do our best to try to achieve it because everyone really wants that.”