So Manchester United have landed their first signing. So early that Jose Mourinho is still on vacation.
And if this tells us anything, it is the club’s intention to get business done. By completing Victor Lindelöf’s transfer in June, they seem to have learned a lesson from previous transfer windows. They seem determined to avoid a repeat of the mistakes that saw them miss out on their main targets over the last few years.
For over a decade, Rio Ferdinand was United’s most expensive signing at £29.3 million. The Portuguese manager has already broken that record twice. Eric Bailly was signed for £30 million. Lindelof for £31 million.
The message is pretty clear: Mourinho wants to build a side that will be hard to break. He wants to establish a strong and stable defensive partnership for years to come. The young duo are likely to be his first choice at the back. The Vidic-Ferdinand association springs to mind.
Mourinho suffered from an unprecedented amount of injuries that forced him to rely on the likes of Axel Tuanzebe to cover gaps in the defence. If he is to compete in the Champions League next season, he can’t afford for that to happen again.
At 6ft 1, Lindelof brings reassurance in the air. He will be relied on to solve one issue that the Red Devils suffered from last season: conceding from set pieces.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who might not have a chance to play alongside his compatriot, has previously lauded the 22-year-old’s growing confidence. He was, the veteran Swede noted, ready to play for the big clubs. Now that the opportunity has come across, Lindelöf will have to validate the big money and prepare to perform at the big stage.
When Bailly arrived, he was little known among the Old Trafford faithful. He went on to become a favourite in his first year.
The challenge for Lindelöf is to replicate that.
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