Lindelof’s addition can help bring Manchester United back to their former glory

Lindelof’s addition can help bring Manchester United back to their former glory

Manchester United have struggled to live-up to their high expectations in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford but the past two years have seen some improvements, with the Red Devils winning the FA Cup under Louis Van Gaal and achieving further glory under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.

A return to the Champions League was secured via victory in the Europa League but Manchester United still fell short of their lofty ambitions, finishing sixth in the Premier League standings and failing to put any pressure on eventual champions Chelsea.

Those failures have seen the pressure rise on Manchester United this summer and the Red Devils are expected to splash the cash yet again during the close season, having secured their first signing of the transfer window yesterday.


The club confirmed that highly-rated 22-year-old defender Victor Lindelof has arrived from Benfica, for a reported price of around £31m, and the hope is that the Swedish international can add stability to a back-line that has looked shaky in recent years.

Once renowned for a side that was rock-solid at the back but deadly going forward, Manchester United have struggled to live-up to that tag in recent seasons and the performances under Mourinho last year were certainly under-par; as the Portuguese boss was criticised for being too defensive.

Whilst it’s unlikely Mourinho’s style of play will change significantly next season, the addition of Lindelof should help things as he boosts Manchester United’s back line and reduces the need for Mourinho to adopt defensive tactics.

Alongside Ivorian defender Eric Bailly, who was signed from Villarreal last summer, Manchester United now have a central defensive pairing that could shine in the Premier League for years to come- whilst Luke Shaw could also be a long-term figure in the defence.

David De Gea, 26, may not be around for the long-term due to consistent links suggesting he’ll move to the Spanish capital and join Real Madrid, whilst the Red Devils also need better options on the right side of their defence- but Mourinho is certainly building a back-line for the future.

With the right guidance, Manchester United’s defence can return to the days where they were at their finest- with memories of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic occupying the minds of supporters.

The defence is still some way short of matching those Old Trafford legends but the early signs are positive, suggesting that Manchester United could finally be on their way back to their best.