Yet another European player seems to have gone down in a football match due to breathing complications. Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has, on Saturday December 11th evening, provided an update on the wellbeing of defender Victor Lindelof.
Victor Lindelof was struggling to breathe during Manchester United's 1-0 win over Norwich City, with the defender being substituted as a precaution.
He was fully checked out by the club's medical staff and Rangnick says the signs are looking positive so far. “He doesn’t remember how it happened,” the manager told club media, when asked how Lindelof was after the victory.
“I suppose he had a collision with another player and couldn’t breathe. He had problems breathing and his heart-rate was higher than normal so we had to replace him. We’ve had him checked and had some examinations done by the doctor,” added Rangnick. “And, so far, everything seems to be okay but he still seems a little bit shocked. Hopefully he will be fit to play the game on Tuesday against Brentford.”
Lindelof was replaced by Eric Bailly, who helped the Reds claim a second consecutive clean sheet in the league as Ronaldo's penalty ensured a vital three points.
David De Gea raises concern:
Teammate David de Gea, meanwhile, was also asked for his take on Lindelof’s departure from proceedings at Carrow Road, and was keen to highlight previous cases involving Christian Eriksen and Sergio Aguero as good reason for every precaution to be taken: ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but he was feeling… [struggling] with his breathing.’
‘We saw it with [Christian] Eriksen and [Sergio] Aguero, and sometimes it’s a bit difficult to see your player acting like this.’
‘It was better to change, and I hope he’s completely fine.’
‘He had difficulty breathing and was feeling something strange. The game doesn’t matter, it’s football.’
‘First of all is life and to be safe.’
CR7 seals a win :
When all was said and done, Lindelof’s presence proved important, en route to an eventual 1-0 triumph for Rangnick’s troops.
A Cristiano Ronaldo spot-kick inside the closing fifteen minutes ultimately proved enough to guide United to their 3rd successive three-point haul, and a place alongside 4th-placed West Ham United in the Premier League table.
Inter Milan's Eriksen, 29, has started training alone at the Danish club he represented as a teenager as he continues his recovery from his cardiac arrest in the summer.
Former Manchester City striker Aguero said last month he is "always positive" after reports claimed he was considering retirement.
The Argentina forward, 33, was taken to hospital after suffering chest pain against Alaves in October and Barca later announced he will not play for three months while he receives treatment and his health is monitored.