Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof has already been named as a starter for Sweden against Bruno Fernandes and Portugal.
The international break is upon us and United players have jetted all around the world to join up with their countries.
Those players will still be on an enormous high after Sunday’s dramatic FA Cup win over Liverpool.
We will see a host of players feature alongside their United teammates; Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford with England, Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen with Denmark, even Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez with Argentina.
Yet one game on Thursday night pits two United players against each other as the preparations for Euro 2024 ramp up…
Victor Lindelof to start against Bruno Fernandes
Sweden missed out on Euro 2024 and a new era is starting with Dane Jon Dahl Tomasson now appointed as their new manager.
Tomasson’s first challenge is a trip to take on Portugal, who are looking to gain some momentum for the summer.
Tomasson has spoken to Fotbollskanalen ahead of the game and has confirmed that captain Victor Lindelof will be starting.
“We have trained (on Wednesday) as we expect to start. Of course the captain (Nilsson Lindelöf) plays,” said Tomasson.
This will mean that United defender Lindelof has to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot with the duo part of the Portugal squad.
Whether Dalot starts is unclear, but Bruno will surely feature prominently – and Lindelof will go from supporting him at United to looking to stifle him on Thursday night.
Lindelof’s history in Portugal
The question about Lindelof starting came from a Portuguese journalist with the defender still well-remembered from his time at Benfica.
Lindelof joined Benfica B from hometown club Vasteras SK in 2012, spending five years in Lisbon.
The centre back only made 73 first-team appearances but impressed enough to earn himself a huge 2017 move to Old Trafford.
Lindelof heads back to Portugal on Thursday night with their press seemingly fascinated by both Lindelof and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Portugal will be favourites to win this one but Lindelof will be desperate to shut them down – and leave Bruno frustrated in the process.