UEFA CL PREVIEW: Man United vs Young Boys

Jose Mourinho expects Victor Lindelof to be out for “quite a while” with an injury that compounds Manchester United’s defensive problems heading into a crunch period and important Champions League clash with Young Boys.

Recently crowned Sweden’s player of the year, the ever-improving 24-year-old has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, starting the club’s last seven matches in all competitions.

But Lindelof’s resurgence after a slow start to life at United has been derailed by a muscle issue, meaning Mourinho’s remaining centre-back options are Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.

Marcos Rojo – yet to play a minute this term – is also absent for the United manager, who has made his frustration clear at the club’s failure to reinforce the defence over the summer.

“He will be out for quite a while,” Mourinho said of Lindelof ahead of Tuesday’s Group H clash with Swiss champions Young Boys. “We have Bailly and Jones.

“Marcos Rojo has some little injury and Victor an injury – a proper injury – that will keep him out for a while, so Jones, Smalling and Bailly are the three we have at the time.”

The United boss laughed off a suggestion that playing at Old Trafford brought added pressure, ahead of a match that can see them progress to the last 16 should they beat Young Boys and Valencia fail to win at Juventus.

“If you feel pressure, stay at home – and when I say home, I don’t say stadium home, I say home home and watch on TV,” Mourinho said.

“If you feel pressure to play matches at home where the people come to support… come on.

“I never felt pressure to play at home.”

Young Boys must win to have any chance of a third place finish and reaching the Europa League but head coach Gerardo Seoane is taking no encouragement from United’s poor home record.

“I think this is just something not usual, these results,” he said.

“I think Manchester United are strong at home and, for sure, also they want to show to their crowd that they are strong also at home.

“This stadium has a big tradition. Manchester United were always the Red Devils at home so we expect a very difficult game.”

Key striker Guillaume Hoarau will be absent from Tuesday’s match through an ankle injury sustained at the weekend, with Jean-Pierre Nsame set to come in. Sekou Sanogo is suspended.