Cape Town - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes defender Victor Lindelof will need more time to adapt to life in England before making his debut.
The Swedish centre-back was left out of the Red Devils' match-day squad for the 4-0 thrashing of West Ham on Sunday, after signing for Mourinho's side at the start of July.
Mourinho opted to start Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, while Chris Smalling made the bench, but insists Lindelof only needs more time before getting involved.
"I've had players coming from different leagues to the Premier League and normally it's not easy," he said, according to Sky Sports.
"I brought in 2004 a phenomenal central defender to England: Ricardo Carvalho. He was one of the best central defenders in the last decade of the Premier League, but he struggled.
"It was difficult for him to adapt in the beginning. I think Victor is a little bit of that and he's going to have that time."
Mourinho next takes his men to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City on Saturday in the first fixture of the day and will be aiming to remain at the summit of the table.
Kick off is at 13:30.