Victor Lindelöf: Stalwart
Loyal, dependable, hard-working.
Growing up a Manchester United fan I was spoilt for choice in designating my favourite player. Of course it was Wayne Rooney but it could have just as easily been Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Dimitar Berbatov and so forth. Since Sir Alex’s retirement, players that fit this category have been far and few between but as I watched Victor Lindelöf deputise at left-back this weekend, I realised that he is my favourite Manchester United player and will forever be one of them.
To describe Victor Lindelöf as a stalwart does the player and man disservice but as I searched for a word to encapsulate him, ‘stalwart’ seemed apt as it covered all semantic bases: loyal, dependable, hard-working. It is no wonder that a player replete with such qualities has been a trusted fixture in 5 managerial regimes at Manchester United and the constant in numerous centre-back partnerships in his 7 years at the club.
In a defence oft chopped and changed seeing the Swede’s number 2 jersey pencilled alongside the legendary David de Gea, another favourite, served as comfort. It was knowledge that there was some security at the back. His profile may not be the highest but you can never doubt his selfless commitment to the club. Even in the darkest days of the Mourinho and Solskjaer tenures where he was questioned he hunkered down showing resolve and perseverance, adding another layer to his iceman persona.
As the seasons have gone by his position has been usurped by by the likes of Maguire, Varane and Martinez and yet he has never complained, instead he has competed, deputised and remained the consummate professional. As a result he has been trusted to play in the biggest games, much like Ji-Sung Park, and rising to the occasion every time. It is players like this I have the most reverence for.
When he was signed in the summer of 2017 the then 23 year-old was viewed as a defensive lynchpin of the club. A ball-playing, ping passing centre-back. Now, in 2023 as a seasoned 29 year-old veteran he is just that but not in the way once envisioned. He is the defensive swiss army knife, filling in wherever needed and often. He does so admirably at right-back and just this weekend as ten Hag’s inverted left-back. It is for this reason he has found fervour at Manchester United. In addition to his mentality, his intelligence, technical ability, positional awareness and versatility make him a first name on the team sheet. Arguably the best defender at the club, never flash, always consistent, rock solid with maximum effort.
At present his contract expires at seasons end but reports of extension are encouraging for I hope he remains a Manchester United player for the foreseeable future. Not only for his ability and temperament but for his symbolism of perseverance and small glories in the difficult times. Though unsung, history will look favourably on Victor Lindelöf at Manchester United. For all the reasons listed he has a place in my pantheon of Manchester United heroes.
