Manchester United centre-half Victor Lindelof is expected to be out for just over a month, following successful surgery on a minor groin issue.

The Sweden international was substituted during the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in early December but was pictured in training earlier this week. However, in a pre-match press conference before United’s Premier League game against West Ham United on (Saturday, December 23, 12:30 GMT), manager Erik ten Hag revealed that the 29-year-old had required surgery.

In addition to the aforementioned game against David Moyes’ Hammers, Lindelof is likely to miss United’s two remaining Premier League fixtures in 2023, against Aston Villa (26 Dec) and Nottingham Forest (Dec 30).

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The timeframe suggested by the medical staff would indicate that our no.2 is also likely to be unavailable for the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan Athletic (Jan 8), plus the league meeting with Tottenham Hotspur (14 Jan) that follows.

In more positive news, Christian Eriksen is expected to feature in the matchday squad for the game against West Ham, while two of Lindelof’s defensive colleagues, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, are predicted to return in mid-January.