Victor Lindelof has set his Manchester United team-mates a stern test – remain unbeaten at home and transform Old Trafford into a fortress.
The Sweden international has been at the club long enough to know that in recent times rocking up in the red side of Manchester has not carried the same fear factor as in the Sir Alex Ferguson years.
But he senses a mood change both amongst the United squad and with the fans who believe the tide is turning under Erik ten Hag with three of the so-called Big Six – Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham – all defeated this season in front of a baying Stretford End.' And with Brazilian star Casemiro in the ranks, more steel has been added to repel all invaders.
Lindelof, who is set to partner Lisandro Martinez in the centre of United’s defence against West Ham on Sunday, admitted: “Whenever we play at home we want to play good football, perform and have the support of the fans.
“Of course it’s important to get the wins at home as well, as we have been doing. If we can keep on performing the way we have been we can produce good football and hopefully stay unbeaten at Old Trafford. That is important.”
Casemiro, with five Champions League winners medals and three La Liga title winners gongs at Real Madrid, offers greater stability and leadership to a side that lost its way last season, finishing sixth with their lowest ever Premier League points tally.
“He’s a fantastic player and a great person as well,” Lindelof added. “He has lots of qualities – his mentality, the way he wants to play football, the way he is always fighting, always helping his team-mates.
“Since he has arrived here he has been working really hard on his role in the team. He wins the ball, he can keep it, he can produce good passes and it’s nice to have him in front of the defensive line because he’s such a clever player. He knows how to read the game well and then there is his mentality.
“It’s not just about winning games, it’s the way he trains every day giving 100 percent. He sets the standards, keeps the tempo high, he’s the one who keeps all that going. In the gym you see him working hard. He’s a role model for the younger players. You only get better by having players capable of coming in and helping the team.”
With Ten Hag a tough taskmaster Lindelof knows the Dutchman will not allow any slacking now United are knocking on the door of the top four.
He added: “The manager has told us to believe in ourselves, to stay on the ball, play good football at a high tempo and run a lot. Obviously confidence is going up because of the results and we have to keep that going. His standards are very high.”
Any lapses in the demanding work ethic are not tolerated, players finding themselves out of the side. “Yes, and that’s the way it should be,” Lindelof maintained. At a club like this you have to be performing and if you don’t do that we all know another player is ready to come in.”
Lindelof has just got back in the side following injury and Raphael Varane being ruled out until the break for the World Cup.
“I had a great pre-season playing a lot of games but unfortunately three days before the start of the season I got injured so that was tough for me,” said Lindelof. “I just had to stay focused, do a good rehab and be ready when I was
fit again.”
