Jose Mourinho backs new signing Victor Lindelof despite shaky start

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Manchester, July 31: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed his £30m signing from Benfica Victor Lindelof for a success in the upcoming years.

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The Swedish stopper made a big money move from Portugal to the English giants with a lot of hype however in all the three pre-season games failed to find his rhythm.

The 23-year-old was at fault in one of the goals of United's 5-2 win over La Galaxy and conceded one penalty in the next match against Real Madrid when he bunglingly rattled Theo Hernandez. To his misery, the defender also missed a penalty later in the shootout.

Many fans and supporters criticised the young player for bad displays in the club's tour of the United States.

However, manager Jose Mourinho has now come out to protect the defender overlooking all the criticism after their 3-0 win Valerenga in Norway and insisted the former Benfica defender will keep improving with patience.

"Step by step," Mourinho said in the post match conference.

"Benfica is a giant club, I always think that players coming from Benfica come mentally ready because it is a big club and the responsibility to play for them makes players ready."

"But the Portuguese league is different and has different qualities."

"Benfica is one of the dominant teams, so he's more used to playing with the ball than without the ball, so he needs his time and we are going to give him his time to develop."

"Such a young player needs time."

"Manchester United is a huge club with huge responsibility; the Premier League is the same."

"So let's give him time, but we're happy with what he is doing, step by step."

The Red Devils will now face Sampdoria in their final pre-season friendly on Wednesday (August 2) before next week's Super Cup clash with Real Madrid on 8th August and with Eric Bailly suspended, Lindelof could make his competitive debut for United in that fixture.

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