was at the Sweden - France game, and he handled himself very well against giroud. hope he becomes a success
Victor Lindelöf | Officially signs
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From watching his highlights i like how he tries to pick out a team mate with his clearances. One thing we barely ever do.
Hope we can get Semedo too. Valencia can't play all the games so we do need another option there and i think he'd be brilliant.
Hope we can get Semedo too. Valencia can't play all the games so we do need another option there and i think he'd be brilliant.
Welcome to the young lad! Give him a few months and I think he'll be fine. From all I've read, he seems to have a good attitude and is pretty low keyed which is great. Have a good feeling about him.
Also, love his nickname "Iceman"
Also, love his nickname "Iceman"
Last game
Here, it would have cost him the lapse from 2:27 on. I like his long balls forward, though.
(Gosh, I hate music in these videos! I suppose people watch football with their stereo on…)
Mute it and play your own. That's what I do. A lot of these videos put this crap music on so it doesn't get done for copyright.
But I like listening to the grounds' ambient sound.
Good signing. Step it up!
Okay, lets try to sum up what i think you should expect off Victor.
I've seen him play in Sweden since the Euro u-21 in 2015. As off now i think Victor is one of the best playing and passing central backs in the world. He is incredibly secure with the ball, and has for being a defender amazing ball control. He is also a very fast defender but just like Bailly a bit all over the place. He is aggressiv in a good way but it can cause him problems when taking risks and running to much against attackers. With all this in mind it is very important to notice how much Victor has developed the last 2 years. Before Euro u-21 he did not even play in Benficas first team. He was called in to the Euros as a reserv and became one of the best players in the whole tournament from out of nowhere. In this two-year period he has gone from playing in Benfica B to being brilliant in Euro u-21, to lead the Benfica defensive-line in Champions League, to be bought to United. We have to take a moment to realize what an insane period this has been for Victor. Expecting him being a finished world-class defender from day 1 is probably asking to much. His safety on the ball, his pace and his ball control is world-class, no doubt about it. But seeing him in Sweden for the last 2 years, i still don't se his defensive-game as anything special. I also have concerns about him and Bailly playing together with both being the same kind of aggressive, young, and a bit sloppy defenders. That is of course of yet. In the way Victor has developed the last two years, and with his age in mind, he can become incredibly good. His potential is extraordinary. He is also a very smart and disciplined person who has the character to learn and adjust to whatever a manager wants him to be.
He can really become that safe, all-round, world-class defender with both defensive-qualities, that he has to develop, but with the control and passing-game that he already has, that United-fans are longing for.
I've seen him play in Sweden since the Euro u-21 in 2015. As off now i think Victor is one of the best playing and passing central backs in the world. He is incredibly secure with the ball, and has for being a defender amazing ball control. He is also a very fast defender but just like Bailly a bit all over the place. He is aggressiv in a good way but it can cause him problems when taking risks and running to much against attackers. With all this in mind it is very important to notice how much Victor has developed the last 2 years. Before Euro u-21 he did not even play in Benficas first team. He was called in to the Euros as a reserv and became one of the best players in the whole tournament from out of nowhere. In this two-year period he has gone from playing in Benfica B to being brilliant in Euro u-21, to lead the Benfica defensive-line in Champions League, to be bought to United. We have to take a moment to realize what an insane period this has been for Victor. Expecting him being a finished world-class defender from day 1 is probably asking to much. His safety on the ball, his pace and his ball control is world-class, no doubt about it. But seeing him in Sweden for the last 2 years, i still don't se his defensive-game as anything special. I also have concerns about him and Bailly playing together with both being the same kind of aggressive, young, and a bit sloppy defenders. That is of course of yet. In the way Victor has developed the last two years, and with his age in mind, he can become incredibly good. His potential is extraordinary. He is also a very smart and disciplined person who has the character to learn and adjust to whatever a manager wants him to be.
He can really become that safe, all-round, world-class defender with both defensive-qualities, that he has to develop, but with the control and passing-game that he already has, that United-fans are longing for.
Maybe I'm nitpicking but this seems contradictory: a ball-playing centre back who hastily clears his lines through a lack of composure? From what I've seen of him, which I admit isn't much, I don't think his ball playing and composure are at a level where he can handle everything the PL has to throw at him. I think pairing him with Bailly will be a risk given they are both young and still learning their respective games.
I'm happy with the signing and think he'll be a good addition now, with the possibly of proving a great addition in the future, but I don't think we should underestimate the possibility of things getting a little rocky for one or both of these guys next season. How they come through such a period will tell us a great deal about them as United players in my opinion.
EDIT: The Swede has summed up my thoughts pretty well ^
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He's not a ball playing defender, dunno where that idea comes from but he is indeed a good centreback and worth every penny of the £30m. Given that market I'd say its a pretty good deal you guys just made even if the fee hits the £40m with the addons, that will only mean he's been a success. Himself and Bailly could be your CB pairing for 10 years for a combined 70-80m thats great business.
Ermm no. That's Luisão, their captain and most experienced player. I don't think he is very fast either. He's not slow but i didn't consider him very fast. He does have good positional sense though. Can play the offside trap well and with defensive lines who pressure high up the pitch. Agree with the rest of the post.
That would come from people who have followed his career very closely at Benfica.
Anyone on here think that signing Lindelof means we might be going to Back 3 next season with Bailly, Lindelof and Rojo ?
Really nice touch and technique for a defender.
His girlfriend is really active on social media. She often tweets funny things about Victor. She seem to have had a nice time in Portugal, lets see what she thinks about the weather in Manchester.
His girlfriend is really active on social media. She often tweets funny things about Victor. She seem to have had a nice time in Portugal, lets see what she thinks about the weather in Manchester.
His girlfriend is really active on social media. She often tweets funny things about Victor. She seem to have had a nice time in Portugal, lets see what she thinks about the weather in Manchester.
Can't understand a fecking word she says, obviously. Although I'm equally baffled as to why anyone would sit through almost 19 minutes of her wibbling on to camera. Is this a thing now? WAG youtubers?
Saw her plenty of times in Lisbon. Lindelof has good taste (finally with clubs as well).
You're literally the first one who've said that he's not a ball playing defender.
How many times have you watched him then?
His girlfriend is really active on social media. She often tweets funny things about Victor. She seem to have had a nice time in Portugal, lets see what she thinks about the weather in Manchester.
I watched about a minutes worth. Did she just say American Sniper is her favourite film?
Well this season Lindelof has 8 CL appearances vs Luisao's 6. So ...
I doubt it, but don't exclude it. I think Jose wants to make the competition for the available cb spots more fierce. But even if we revert to 3 cbs at the back, those 3 would slot perfectly, even Darmian could cover the LCB spot.
Only in Europe tbh and few times with Sweden. He's a very good cb but IMHO on the ball he's at best OK. He's not what I'd regard a ball playing defender by any stretch. At best he's on a par on the ball with someone like kompany. Not alderweireld or dier at cb standard by any stretch.
Doesn't matter to the point i was making. Luisão has been the leader of Benfica's defense for more than a decade now. Luisão played 6 games because he is near the end of his career and the manager has to control his playing time due to his age. Furthermore even when Lindelof played with Jardel or Lisandro Lopez, it would be them leading the line and the defense. It wasn't his role to lead the defense. Doesn't mean he was a lesser player though.
No, Rojo is out for a long time anyway.
He'd be a stunning addition IMO.
Here is why I think so, but first, let's recall why we were a powerhouse back in 2006-2013 earned 5 BPL titles, 1 CL (not to mentioned countless time being in final rounds of CL ).
- A very talent and flexible attack force ( RVN, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney, Giggs, RVPersie, or by some extend Berbatov ).
- Some serious bosses in midfield (Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, PJS [At their peak] and the legend Paul Scholes)
- A Catenaccio-Esque Back 4 ( Evra-Vidic-Ferdinand-Brown/Oshea/Rafael)
- Edwin VDS
And of course, these fantastic players were managed by the greatest manager ever: Sir Alex Ferguson.
Basically, at that period, we were a well-balanced team, starting from defense all the way to the attack.
IF we managed to land Fabinho and Morata which I find highly likely. I expected us to play 4-1-2-3 :
I find some sort of similarities here:
- Morata will be the key forward (like Tevez) while Pogba can play as a #10 and push back to support defense when in need (Rooney)
- Herrera is actually a good ball-winning MF who good at short pass while Fabinho and Pogba could place some deadly long ball forward. Herrera/Fabinho excel in ball-recovering which will give Pogba his freedom to support the attack.
- The right wing should be where we explore more, compare to left wing at we have Valencia/Mkhitaryan here. Blind can also help our counter-attack with his renown long pass.
- This is where it get interesting, Lindelof - Bailly combo. I don't know why but this 2 CBs give me a feeling that they're gonna be our next Vidic-Ferdinand. Bailly seems more like Vidic with the warrior blood in his vein and some time being reckless when diving into a tackle ( average 2,4 tackles/game). On the other hands, Lindelof's calmness strikes me as the resemblance to Ferdinand. From what I have heard/watched so far, Lindelof is a smart ball playing CB who rarely dive into the tackle, and that, make me confidence that he shall be a perfect match for Bailly for years to come.
Nevertheless, There absolutely no way this side can compare with 2008 CL winning side. The team is still fairly young though, who knows, maybe in 3 or 4 years more, we will win CL again with this side
Here is why I think so, but first, let's recall why we were a powerhouse back in 2006-2013 earned 5 BPL titles, 1 CL (not to mentioned countless time being in final rounds of CL ).
- A very talent and flexible attack force ( RVN, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney, Giggs, RVPersie, or by some extend Berbatov ).
- Some serious bosses in midfield (Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, PJS [At their peak] and the legend Paul Scholes)
- A Catenaccio-Esque Back 4 ( Evra-Vidic-Ferdinand-Brown/Oshea/Rafael)
- Edwin VDS
And of course, these fantastic players were managed by the greatest manager ever: Sir Alex Ferguson.
Basically, at that period, we were a well-balanced team, starting from defense all the way to the attack.
IF we managed to land Fabinho and Morata which I find highly likely. I expected us to play 4-1-2-3 :
David De Gea
Valencia - Bailly - Lindelof - Blind
Fabinho
Herrera - Pogba
Mkhitaryan - Morata - Rashford
Compare to a 2008 line up:Valencia - Bailly - Lindelof - Blind
Fabinho
Herrera - Pogba
Mkhitaryan - Morata - Rashford
Van der Sar
Brown - Vidic - Ferdinand - Evra
Hargreaves - Scholes - Carrick - Cristiano Ronaldo
Tevez - Rooney
Brown - Vidic - Ferdinand - Evra
Hargreaves - Scholes - Carrick - Cristiano Ronaldo
Tevez - Rooney
I find some sort of similarities here:
- Morata will be the key forward (like Tevez) while Pogba can play as a #10 and push back to support defense when in need (Rooney)
- Herrera is actually a good ball-winning MF who good at short pass while Fabinho and Pogba could place some deadly long ball forward. Herrera/Fabinho excel in ball-recovering which will give Pogba his freedom to support the attack.
- The right wing should be where we explore more, compare to left wing at we have Valencia/Mkhitaryan here. Blind can also help our counter-attack with his renown long pass.
- This is where it get interesting, Lindelof - Bailly combo. I don't know why but this 2 CBs give me a feeling that they're gonna be our next Vidic-Ferdinand. Bailly seems more like Vidic with the warrior blood in his vein and some time being reckless when diving into a tackle ( average 2,4 tackles/game). On the other hands, Lindelof's calmness strikes me as the resemblance to Ferdinand. From what I have heard/watched so far, Lindelof is a smart ball playing CB who rarely dive into the tackle, and that, make me confidence that he shall be a perfect match for Bailly for years to come.
Nevertheless, There absolutely no way this side can compare with 2008 CL winning side. The team is still fairly young though, who knows, maybe in 3 or 4 years more, we will win CL again with this side
I can't remember Mourinho playing with 3 in the back many times either. Perhaps in specific circunstancies at Inter or Chelsea. Remember him playing with 3 CB's at Real but Pepe/Sérgio Ramos were used in the midfield. But it's not something that i've seen alot during his managerial career.
You'd need to check with an Admin but isn't it because the other thread was in the Transfer Forum? And now that it's confirmed a new one is created in the the United Forum?
Really only know Lindelof from his youtube videos, but what makes mi confident about this signing is the fact we haven't been linked so closely to any other defender. Surely if we have tried to sign anyone else we would've known. Mourinho talked very clearly about potential and reachable targets (the comment about how he was proposed Buffon as a potential GK signing back in Inter I think). So I hope he's the defender Jose wants the most.
Even if Marquinhos, Varane and Bonucci are better defenders, Lindelof also ticks a lot of the boxes, comes at fairly reasonable price - cheaper than the likes of Mangala, Stones, Otamendi, Mustafi, David Luiz and is fairly young - 22 (turning 23 in a month). He has CL experience (played in every game thise season) and is part of a title winning team - Benfica won the Portuguese League back to back with him getting respectively 15 and 32 appearances last two seasons.
I know stats could be misleading, but his passing accuracy and interceptions per game are standing out when compared to other top defenders.
Tall as feck at 6'2'', much better on the ball than Jones and Smalling combined and quite composed.
We saw how Jose reformed Rojo, Valencia and Jones if you want, so I have really high hopes for this bloke. Only thing that leaves me wondering, how does he play him and Bailly when both are used to the RCB role and none of them is left footed.
Even if Marquinhos, Varane and Bonucci are better defenders, Lindelof also ticks a lot of the boxes, comes at fairly reasonable price - cheaper than the likes of Mangala, Stones, Otamendi, Mustafi, David Luiz and is fairly young - 22 (turning 23 in a month). He has CL experience (played in every game thise season) and is part of a title winning team - Benfica won the Portuguese League back to back with him getting respectively 15 and 32 appearances last two seasons.
I know stats could be misleading, but his passing accuracy and interceptions per game are standing out when compared to other top defenders.
Tall as feck at 6'2'', much better on the ball than Jones and Smalling combined and quite composed.
We saw how Jose reformed Rojo, Valencia and Jones if you want, so I have really high hopes for this bloke. Only thing that leaves me wondering, how does he play him and Bailly when both are used to the RCB role and none of them is left footed.
Yes, i think it's moved from transfer forum to utd forum. I have already asked an admin if this is the case
Hope this is right - have to say I have never seen one second of him either for Benfica or Sweden. Sounds a lot of money but he cannot be as much a liability as Smalling!
Not just WAG's, loads of everyday people have Youtube channels where they put their life on show and get subcribers, it's easier than ever for anyone to be "famous."
Get in!!
That's exactly what I thought after reading his post too. To be fair, if Stones is the ball player CB he has been accustomed to, then lindelof isn't the same. He seem to unable to pass it straight to opposition players and get caught out of position like stones
So this guy will be the Rio to Bailly's Vidic going by descriptions