Victor Lindelof has a chance to regain his role at Manchester United

Victor Lindelof's tracksuit had stayed on all afternoon on New Year's Day in Wolverhampton yet he was on his feet to celebrate a stoppage-time free-kick.

Manchester United were homing in on victory at Molineux, Harry Maguire had been summoned to increase their averagem height and Lindelof was unused. He was as jubilant at Toti's foul on Aaron Wan-Bissaka as any of the away-dayers in the Steve Bull Stand.

Lindelof has since been restricted to half-a-dozen starts against clubs currently in the bottom six of the Premier League, as well as Reading, now plunged into the relegation quagmire of the Championship.

Also read: United open to including Amad in squad next season

Before Raphael Varane hobbled off and Lisandro Martinez's metatarsal snapped, Lindelof was in danger of having his most unfulfilling season at United. Now he is one of a handful of certain starters in both of their cup ties this week.

Lindelof was unflappable on his first Premier League start since January 3 at the City Ground. He ceded possession only three times and won all of his ground duels. Taiwo Awoniyi was manhandled by Maguire and almost inadvertently assisted by Diogo Dalot but had no joy against Lindelof.

The Swede was a worthy interim partner for Martinez while Varane recovered from an ankle injury in October and November. United have a record of eight wins and one defeat with Lindeof and Martinez, the one blemish coming in Unai Emery's first match as Aston Villa manager. They have started once together in the Premier League since.

Lindelof has broken the 30-game barrier in every season at United bar his first when the adaptation was so turbulent he was not even included in the FA Cup final squad. After United's momentum-killing defeat at