Cape Town - Manchester
United boss Jose Mourinho has brushed off concerns about starting
Victor Lindelof in their UEFA Champions League opener against Basel on
Tuesday.
The off-season signing from Benfica hasn't featured for the Red Devils since making his competitive debut in the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup over a month ago.
But Mourinho will give Lindelof his chance in midweek alongside Chris Smalling, with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones both suspended for the European tie.
The Portuguese coach feels that the Sweden international will have no problem playing in the competition, as he has plenty of experience on that stage with his former club.
"There is no need for him to adapt to the Champions League but he needs a bit of time to adapt to the Premier league, especially the new Premier League," Mourinho said in his pre-match press conference.
"He is very bright and very calm and step by step he will be there. I am more than confident for tomorrow [Tuesday], he is a very good player with a very good potential.
"Even if Bailly and Jones were not suspended, probably I would still play Lindelof and Smalling. They are at the same level, they are just different players."