Lindelof returns to Sweden after a “traumatic” burglary
Manchester United will talk to players about improving security after Victor Lindelof’s family was subjected to a “very traumatic” burglary in their house when he played against Brentford.
The 27-year-old completed the full 90 minutes when Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils secured a 3-1 Premier League win at Brentford Community Stadium on Wednesday night.
Lindelof’s house in the north-west of England was targeted while the defender was in London, forcing his wife to lock herself and their two children in a room for safety during the burglary.
“During Victor’s match on Wednesday night, we had a break-in at our house in Manchester,” Maja Nilsson Lindelof wrote in an Instagram story.
“I was alone at home with both children but we managed to hide and lock ourselves in a room before they entered our house.
“We are okay under the circumstances but it was obviously a very traumatic and scary moment for both [myself] and my young children.
“We are now in Sweden and spending some time off with our families.”
In the wake of the shocking events, interim manager Rangnick confirmed that Lindelof would not be in United’s match against West Ham on Saturday to take care of his family.
“He does not want to leave his wife and family alone, which I can fully understand when I am the father of two children myself.”
“I talked to him for a long time on our flight home from London and even this morning we talked for about 20 minutes, 25 minutes,” said the German.
“He told me what had actually happened and that this was really a traumatic event, especially for his wife and even the three-year-old son.
“He told me he needs to stay home right now. He does not want to leave his wife and family on his own, which I fully understand being the father of two children myself.
“We agreed that he will not train today and will not be on duty tomorrow for the match.”
The question of football players’ houses being targeted during matches has raised its head earlier and United will look at how they can help improve the protection of their players.
Asked about security around the players’ families, there was something the club should look at around matches, Rangnick said: “Yes, absolutely.
“I think we will even have a meeting at our hotel tonight where the club will talk to the players about the kind of measures that can be taken to increase the level of security.
“What is necessary? Where can the club support the players in these areas?
“This is something the club will talk to the players about [about] within the next few weeks and hopefully be able to make their houses safer and more secure in the future. “
United have urged anyone with information about Wednesday’s burglary to contact police and said they would support the Lindelof family.
In a statement, the club said: “We can confirm that a burglary occurred at the home of Victor Lindelof during the away match against Brentford.
“His family, who were at home at the time, were unharmed but clearly shaken.
“This was a difficult experience for them and for Victor when he found out after the match, and the club gives them our full support.
“We urge anyone with information about the crime to contact the police.”
Lindelof had started United’s last two Premier League matches instead of the out-of-sorts skipper Harry Maguire, who Rangnick confirmed would return to the starting line-up on Saturday.
“Harry from the first day I came, he played, was in the starting eleven, then he got an injury in the Burnley game and was away for the next two or three games,” Rangnick added.
“He was completely fit for the first time for the Brentford game. I explained to him that I did not want to change anything because I thought Victor and Rapha [Raphael Varane] went well – this partnership worked well.
“Now that Victor is gone, Harry will play from the start tomorrow apparently and again be the team captain.
“In a back four, it’s not just about each player’s individual performance, it’s how they work together, how they work together.
“This is not the first time Harry and Rapha have played together.
“They did it quite a few times in the last few months and I am very sure it will be a good collaboration for tomorrow’s match.”