Man Utd star left match as son, 3, 'split head open after falling through glass staircase'

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof had to make a hasty exit from the Europa League clash with Lyon after his son sustained a serious head injury.

The Swedish centre-back, initially on the bench for the match, departed the stadium at half-time, with manager Ruben Amorim later citing 'personal reasons' for his abrupt departure.

Lindelof started in the defeat against Wolves on Sunday, and it has now been revealed why he had to rush off at half-time in the week. His wife, Maja, recounted the harrowing ordeal: "An hour before the [Lyon] game started, our babysitter called and said they were in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

"My youngest son Francis had split his entire head open. He had been chasing his big brother Ted Louie at home, and fallen into our glass staircase.

"His forehead was in two parts. He was in hospital both Thursday and Friday. He had to have plastic surgery to put his forehead back together. He was put under anaesthetic.

"It is the first time I have experienced something like this happening with one of my children. It was incredibly unpleasant, and not something I want to experience again."

Thankfully, she reported a positive outcome following the surgery: "The operation went well, and Francis is back on track. He is a Viking, and back to normal. Everyone was so worried, but he continues his life as if nothing has happened.

"The doctors say he will have a big scar on his forehead. But never mind - I'm just happy that it went so well."

Lindelof wasn't the only United player to exit Old Trafford early during the clash against Lyon, with team-mate Noussair Mazraoui also departing suddenly after being listed in the initial line-up.

Ruben Amorim suggested that Mazraoui also had a personal situation to attend to which led to his swift exit - details of which remain confidential. The Moroccan defender was also back on the pitch for the disappointing 1-0 loss to Wolves.

Man Utd are now setting their sights on an upcoming away match against Bournemouth, followed by a pivotal return to continental competition with a Europa League semi-final bout against Real Sociedad next Thursday.