Manchester United defender Harry Maguire could face former team-mate and friend Victor Lindelof when they host Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League.
The two centre-backs formed a regular partnership during Lindelof’s eight-year spell at United, and Maguire believes the Sweden international never received the recognition he deserved during his time at the club.
Lindelof made 284 appearances for United between 2017 and 2025, helping the club lift the FA Cup and Carabao Cup while also reaching two Europa League finals. The defender left for Aston Villa in September 2025 and has quickly established himself as a trusted option in Unai Emery’s squad.
Villa travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League as they continue their push for a Champions League place, and Lindelof could feature against his former club for the first time.
Maguire spoke warmly about the defender when reflecting on their years together in United’s back line.
“I think Victor was an excellent player,” Maguire said in an interview carried by the Man Utd website. “I believe he didn’t get the credit he deserved when he was playing at this club. He played so many games and worked under different managers, but he was always reliable.
“He was an excellent player and we had an amazing relationship on the pitch.”
The pair were first-choice centre-backs under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, helping United finish third and then second in the Premier League during consecutive seasons.
Maguire said those campaigns stood out because of the defensive stability they built together.
“In the first year we kept the most clean sheets in Europe, if I remember right,” he said. “The following season we were probably second or third.
“We kept loads of clean sheets and defended properly. We defended well as a team.”
The England international also admitted that Lindelof remains one of the defenders he connected with best during his United career.
“I’ve probably played the most games with Victor,” Maguire added. “Our relationship on the pitch was as strong as I’ve had with anybody.”
If Lindelof does feature on Sunday, he is expected to receive a warm reception from the Old Trafford crowd as he returns to face his former club.
