VICTOR LINDELOF will MISS Manchester United's trip to Italy to face Atalanta on Tuesday after picking up a knock.

The Swede has not travelled to Bergamo with his team-mates for the Champions League clash after it was confirmed this afternoon that he picked up an injury in training.

Lindelof, 27, has started six of United's ten league games and all three of their Champions League fixtures so far this season.

He had a torrid time at the back alongside Harry Maguire against Liverpool last Sunday, but was much improved in Saturday's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

He played alongside Maguire and Raphael Varane in a back three and Utd were far more defensively sturdy, with Spurs failing to register a single shot on target.

His absence could provide an opportunity for Eric Bailly to come back into the side, having only featured once so far this season.

The injury-hit Ivory Coast international managed only 12 league appearances last season and has struggled for game time under Solskjaer when fit.

Luke Shaw could also play in a back three, having done so in the past under Solskjaer, including in victories against both Chelsea and Man City in 2019-20.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

The Red Devils are currently top of their group in the Champions League after narrow victories over Atalanta and Villarreal at Old Trafford.

They came back after a dismal first-half showing against Atalanta in which they were 2-0 down last month to win 3-2, thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Maguire and Marcus Rashford.

But despite being top, qualification from the group is still far from secure, with the Red Devils still having to face Atalanta and Villarreal away from home this month, as well as welcoming Young Boys to Old Trafford.

They will need a victory in at least one of those games to ensure their qualification to the last 16 and to avoid dropping to the Europa League again.

Under pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was reportedly on the brink of the sack following Utd's 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool.

But he bought himself some time with Saturday's victory over Spurs, and could do with further wins against Atalanta and rivals Manchester City this week to further secure his job.

Utd's trip to Atalanta will see Ronaldo return to Italy for the first time since departing Juventus in the summer.

⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals

The Portuguese striker posted a message on his social media today, saying: "Back to Italy, a country that welcomed me and my family so well, an amazing place that will be forever in my heart.

"I know from experience that it’s never easy to play in Bergamo against a team such as Atalanta, but we will do our absolute best to keep the first place in our group.

"This is Champions League and we are Manchester United! We are where we belong! Let’s go, Devils!"

Source: Read Full Article