Instead it prompted the sort of roar from the Old Trafford crowd that usually greets a Manchester United goal.

Lindelof didn’t flinch as he thundered into a 50-50 tackle with Brighton’s Anthony Knockeart, got his timing spot-on, came away with the ball cleanly and fairly, and in an instant swept away many of the lingering doubts over his ability to establish himself as a United central defender.

After a £30million move from Benfica in the summer, Lindelof took a while to adapt to the pace, physicality and intense scrutiny of the English game – not helped by two blunders in the shock defeat at Huddersfield where he came on for the injured Phil Jones.

But since helping Sweden beat Italy in the World Cup play-offs in the last international break, he has looked a different player.

Having made his first Premier League start against Newcastle straight after that break, Lindelof has played four games, helped the team win all of them, and his confidence has soared.

Even though he spoke with considerable under-statement he remembers that moment against a Brighton side who were giving United a run for their money.

“It was a good tackle,” he said. “It was a 50-50 ball, I had to win the ball and I did. For me it was just a tackle, but a good tackle. I felt good during that whole game.

“The main difference between the Portuguese League and the Premier League is that the Premier League is tougher. Benfica and Manchester United are both big clubs but United are on the biggest stage in the world and you have more eyes watching you.

“Always when you come to a new club you have to learn and I’m still learning. I’m learning every day and I work hard every day to try to help the team.”

Like Henrikh Mkhitaryan last season following his move from Borussia Dortmund, Lindelof had no problems with being eased into the team slowly by Jose Mourinho. And he says Armenia international Mkhitaryan was not the only one to offer support and encouragement.

“I cannot just pick one player who has helped me,” he added. “We all try and help each other. The whole team has been very good since I arrived and helped me in lots of ways.

“I speak with the manager and he’s been very good for me. I can learn a lot from him and also the other coaches, so we talk sometimes and it’s been good.”

Lindelof has flourished in recent games amid the security of playing in a back three alongside Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo, but he says he is comfortable in whatever system Mourinho plays.

“I like to play in both a back three or four. I play the way the manager wants me and the team to play, so for me it doesn’t matter – I like to play both systems,” he said.

“I’m always happy to help the team in any way I can, so of course I’m very pleased to be able to help the team on the pitch and get some good results.”

Lindelof insists United will not be distracted by Sunday’s Manchester derby when they face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Old Trafford tonight (Tues) needing a point to finish top of the group.

“We haven’t talked about the derby yet,” he said. “We’re all professionals, we’re all focused on this game, we want to play a good game and get the win. After that game, then we’ll be starting to talk about the other game.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be involved tonight after suffering a slight setback in his comeback from ruptured knee ligaments.

The striker has made four appearances as a substitute but was left out of the squad for the win at Arsenal on Saturday with Mourinho saying he is working on strengthening the muscle behind the knee he injured last April.

Luke Shaw, who has made only two substitute appearances this season, could finally feature with Mourinho considering resting several players ahead of the derby. One certain starter is goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who will replace Saturday’s hero David De Gea.