Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea admitted watching teammate Victor Lindelof struggle with his breathing during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich brought up worrying memories of Christian Eriksen and Sergio Aguero.
The Sweden centre-back, 27, was replaced with 16 minutes left after receiving treatment on the pitch after he appeared to be out of breath and clutching his chest.
Lindelof eventually walked off the pitch and was examined by the club doctor, Steve McNally.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick was able to allay fears over Lindelof post-match and revealed he was “OK” in the changing room but goalkeeper De Gea conceded seeing the defender having difficulties reminded him of Eriksen and Aguero, who are both currently sidelined with heart issues.
“As soon as it was like difficult breathing and feeling strange, the game doesn’t matter or football. First of all is life,” De Gea told Sky Sports.
“We saw some players who are feeling a bit, I don’t know what was going on, but Victor was feeling his breathing.
“We saw already Eriksen, Aguero … so it is sometimes a bit difficult to see your player acting like this so it was better to change. I hope he is completely fine.”
The incident took place shortly before Cristiano Ronaldo converted a 75th-minute penalty to secure all three points at Carrow Road.
Lindelof was replaced by Eric Bailly for the last quarter-of-an-hour, but Rangnick provided a positive update on the Swede when he faced the media after, suggesting Lindelof may even be in contention to face Brentford on Tuesday.
He added: “Victor can’t even remember himself how it happened.
“I think he had a collision with another player and had problems to breathe. For more than 10 minutes his heart rate was higher than normal and he was a little shocked by this, so we had to replace him.
“The doctor has checked him after the match and it seems everything is OK now, but we still have to see how he is doing tomorrow. Hopefully he will fit for the Brentford game.”
Norwich v Man United ratings
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NORWICH RATINGS: Tim Krul – 7 The Dutchman made a series of crucial saves. He provided a hand on Alex Telles’ free-kick to tip it over the crossbar, comfortably saved a low shot by Dalot and then kept Ronaldo out. He also tipped over a great dipping header by Maguire at the last second just before the break. Went the wrong way for the penalty. PA -
Max Aarons – 7 Made a great interception in the first half followed by a darting run into the centre of the park. He made a great tackle to force a potential ball from Rashford out for a corner but was later punished for handling Ronaldo in the box, who went to ground. Getty Images -
Grant Hanley – N/R, Forced into early action to clear United’s attack but then had to retire early after colliding with Ronaldo and seemingly dislocating his shoulder. Getty Images -
Ozan Kabak – 8 Returned to the backline and looked accomplished beyond his 21 years. He made a great block as United added pressure in the box with a cross by Sancho, and then tracked back to deny Rashford, though the striker was deemed offside. Forced De Gea into making two world-class saves. PA -
Dimitris Giannoulis – 7 With Brandon Williams unable to play against his parent club, the Greek left-back returned to the line-up and looked a man on a mission to keep a starting place with a bright start both attacking and defensively. Getty Images -
Billy Gilmour – 6 Held his own in the midfield for large parts while playing in a deeper position. Improved as the game went on. Had two shots within seconds of each other when the ball rebounded to him, and he narrowly missed out on getting his first for the club in the final 10 minutes. AP Photo -
Lukas Rupp – 7 Was all over the pitch. Made several good runs into the box and always looked to be eyeing up decent positions. Also teed up several opportunities for Pukki. Getty Images -
Kenny McLean – 6 The Scotsman worked hard with Rupp to control play and ensure United didn’t have long on the ball. Reuters -
Josh Sargent – 6 Delivered a great ball which curved into the path of Pukki just before half-time, though United were able to intervene. Looked low in confidence, though. The American had a great chance to shoot following United’s goal, but decided to pull back the ball rather than have a dig himself. Getty Images -
Przemyslaw Placheta – 6 The Polish winger made his full Premier League debut in his first start for the club since February following months out suffering with Covid-19. He showed glimpses of promise after so long out, culminating in a neat one-two and shot just after the break. PA -
Teemu Pukki – 6 Forced a crucial block from McTominay early on as he eyed a cross in the box after having latched onto a great ball and split United’s defence. Later on, he couldn’t quite get his feet right when Rupp flicked a ball into his path, before then forcing a top save from De Gea. Getty Images -
SUB: Jacob Sorensen (Hanley 21’) – 7 The versatile 23-year-old has seen game-time limited since his arrival and he’d only played nine minutes in the Premier League before his introduction at centre-back. Showed a great first touch to hook the ball away from Rashford and spark an attack. AP Photo -
SUB: Todd Cantwell (Placheta 70’) – N/R Didn’t really have much of an impact after coming on. Getty Images -
SUB: Pierre Lees-Melou (Rupp 76’) – N/R Found himself straight in the action after his substitution but didn’t have his shooting boots on to level things up. Booked. Reuters -
MAN UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 8. Comfortable in the first half. Saved from Pukki on 56 mins as Norwich had their best spell with five corners in as many minutes. Magnificent save on 76 from a header and then again on 90 at the back post, both from Kabak. Getty Images -
Diogo Dalot – 6. Hit and miss in the first half. Weak shot after 31, but the fact he was in Norwich’s area showed how advanced he was. Covered well for a 39th minute Norwich attack. Booked after 76. Blocked a Gilmour shot on 82. PA -
Harry Maguire – 6. Did well to get his head to a Sancho cross just before half time. Turned by Placheta at start of second half as Norwich went aggressive against United and stopped the pressing game seen against Palace. Outjumped by Kabak for Norwich’s closest effort on goal. PA -
Victor Lindelof – 6. Struggled for Norwich’s best first half chance, but otherwise untroubled. Went off with 20 minutes to play after going down without any contact. Reuters -
Alex Telles – 7. Starting four league games for the first time. Awful pass back towards Maguire after 8 mins. His free-kick deflected on the cross bar after 14. Won ball off Aarons to start an 85th minute United attack which ended with Ronaldo shooting over in the heavy rain. Reuters -
Scott McTominay – 7. Blocked an early Norwich attack. Set up Ronaldo on 37. Lucky not to get a fifth successive yellow card on 43. Crossed for Ronaldo, which led to United’s penalty. Getty Images -
Fred – 7. Smart ball to McTominay to feed Ronaldo on 37. Passed well through the lines in the narrow 4-2-2-2 formation. It wasn’t impressive, but United got another win and another clean sheet. Getty Images -
Jadon Sancho – 6. Super cross to Maguire on 45. Some sparks when he got the ball, but, as with the other attackers, too little and too far from the Norwich goal. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes – 5. Had more touches than anyone early one, but too far from goal to be effective and gave the ball away more than anyone. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo – 6. Swung at the ball and couldn’t connect after 15. Better chance on 37 but he paused on his shot. Sent Krul the wrong way to score a penalty, his seventh goal in eight away starts this season. Shot a Rashford cross over on 85. PA -
Marcus Rashford – 5. Won a soft early free-kick then complained that he was pulled back when he didn’t get one. Lively but no end product in first half and he lost possession too many times. Zipped a low shot wide on 61. Best move was in 85th minute when he crossed for Ronaldo. Reuters -
SUB: Mason Greenwood – 6. On for Sancho after 67. Ran the ball away from his area on 81 as Norwich tried to equalise. Running helped. Getty Images -
SUB: Eric Bailly – 5. On for Lindelof. Beaten by Sargent as Norwich tried to equalise but recovered to win the ball back. Blocked a Gilmour double shot on 82. Getty Images -
SUB: Donny van de Beek – NA. On for Fernandes after 88. Gave free-kick away in dangerous position on 90. PA
