Ruben Amorim hit with immediate injury blow as Man Utd star helped off pitch by medics

Ruben Amorim could be without Victor Lindelof for his first game in charge after a fresh injury concern.

The Portuguese coach was appointed as Manchester United’s new boss earlier this month. And having been granted his work visa, Amorim will oversee his first game with the club next weekend.

The Red Devils travel to Portman Road for a showdown with newly-promoted Ipswich. But United could be without one of their defenders for the trip.

Lindelof was named in Sweden’s starting line-up for their Nations League clash with Slovakia on Saturday evening. But his appearance lasted less than half an hour.

He had to be helped off the pitch by two members of the Swedish medical staff and is now a major doubt for the weekend’s game. Lindelof’s issue comes just days after he admitted he was aiming to force himself into contention under Amorim.

Speaking to Fotbolldirekt, he said: "This is not something I think about. My focus has been to come back from the injury and play football again. But of course, there will be writings now what will happen when I am in my last year.

"My goal is always to help the team. Now I have come back, made 90 minutes at United which has been very nice. It's a different situation for me now."

Lindelof actually played under Amorim during the pair’s time with Portuguese giants Benfica. Opening up on his relationship with his new boss, the defender added: "I was young at the time, and we didn't have a relationship outside of football, but I've heard great things about him as a coach. It will be great to meet him again. It's been many years since we played together.”

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

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Lindelof, 30, has endured a rollercoaster stint at United since joining from Benfica. He has made 266 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions and while he has made seven outings this term, just three of those have been starts.

Should he be sidelined, the centre-back will become the latest concern for new United boss Amorim. Defenders Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia are all currently sidelined, while Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are both doubts. Kobbie Mainoo is also set to undergo testing ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Ipswich.

Speaking ahead of his debut, Amorim said: “We know that we need time, but we have to win time. To win time is to win games. But the most important thing for me is identity. So since day one we will start with our identity.

“Of course we are going to prepare the games, but we will focus a lot in our game model. How to play, how to press, these small things, small details. You cannot go 100% on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. So if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, is identity.”

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