'We talked': £31m Man United man shares advice Ibrahimovic gave him last week

As the fans bid farewell to a legend of footballing past, the nation’s future did not exactly deliver a display to suggest that better days are around the corner.

And Manchester United‘s £31 million man – captaining his country for the 21st time on the night – was understandably disappointed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden send-off did not go as planned.

The Swedish icon was watching on from the stands as Jon Dalh Tomasson’s side were slapped 3-0 on home soil by Serbia. And Victor Lindelof, who was confirmed to remain as captain by the former Blackburn Rovers coach a few months ago, again found himself having to front up to the media after the latest in an increasingly long line of dissatisfying defeats.

“It is difficult to give our effort a grade when we lose 3-0,” Lindelof sighs, speaking to Fotbollskanalen. “I hate losing games, even if it’s a friendly game and we’re in a proces. It’s tough to lose.

“They scored three balls with three chances. Of course it’s not optimal.”

Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof suffers latest defeat

Sweden failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

They were defeated in a friendly by Scandinavian rivals Denmark last week too – Lindelof’s Man United team-mate Christian Eriksen scoring a sumptious late winner – and also suffered heavy losses at the hands of Portugal and Azerbaijan in recent months.

Lindelof is, however, convinced that happier times are coming. This is, after all, a squad full of promisng young talent yet to realise the extent of their potential, including Newcastle hitman Alexander Isak and Nottingham Forest’s one-time United winger Anthony Elanga.

“I feel confident (we are on the right track). I do,” the FA Cup winning centre-half adds. “Everyone is involved, everyone knows what we want and what football we want to play. We are playing well and have come a long way in just two meetings (under Tomasson).”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic convinced of better days

Lindelof also spoke with Ibrahimovic at full-time.

The legendary former Man United, AC Milan, Juventus, Ajax and Barcelona frontman appears to share the captian’s optimism too, insisting that the best thing Sweden can do is keep the faith in Tommasson and their next generation.

“We talked a little, but not much. It was mostly about life in general,” Lindelof explains before sharing the advice Ibrahimovic gave him as Sweden embark upon their rejuvenation project. “He said we played good football, that we should be patient. That was it.

“(It was) great fun to be part of his send-off. To see all the beautiful pictures and memories. It (gave me) goosebumps.

“And fun for him! He looked very happy and happy that he finally got to say ‘thank you’ to all the Swedish fans.”

Lindelof will not be at this summer’s European Championships but a host of Manchestre United players will be. Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo are in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, albeit without Marcus Rashford and the injured Harry Maguire.

The Three Lions will go up against Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund during the group-stage clash with Denmark.

Portugal – maybe this summer’s dark horses – also head to Germany with Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes playing some of the best football of their careers.