Man Utd News: Jose Mourinho confirms Victor Lindelof will start against Basel

JOSE MOURINHO says Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof will get a chance to prove himself against Basel after the international break.
Lindelof signed for Manchester United in a £30million deal earlier this summer and made his competitive debut in the 2-1 Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid.

But the Sweden international failed to impress, with Mourinho admitting he made a mistake starting him too soon.

He’s yet to feature for United since and failed to even make the bench for two of their three Premier League games so far.

Mourinho has favoured Eric Bailly and Phil Jones in the heart of defence – with United yet to concede in the league – but the duo are suspended for the Champions League visit of Basel on September 12.

And the Red Devils boss says Lindelof, alongside Chris Smalling who has fallen down the pecking order this season, will start for their Group A opener at Old Trafford.




“Eric is playing really well,” Mourinho said. “I have to say Smalling is in very good conditions and I have also to say Victor is improving every day.

“So, as you know, against Basel Jones and Eric are both suspended.

“So against Basel we will play Victor and Smalling and no problem at all. The squad is good and the mentality of the players is very good too.”
Mourinho says he’s expecting Benfica, Basel and CSKA Moscow to pose a big challenge for his side to progress from Group A.

“I think it’s a dangerous group,” Mourinho said.

“If you go to the recent history of United, United lost against Basel, United couldn’t beat Benfica in two matches, I think also against CSKA Moscow the last time was 0-0 or 1-0 or something.

“I know the three places, I never played against Benfica in the Champions League but of course, I know the dimension and the quality.

“I played a few times against CSKA, I played against Basel too, I know the places. It’s not going to be easy.”

Source:www.express.co.uk