Victor Lindelof has revealed that he is having to constantly fight through the pain barrier to represent Manchester United.
The Swedish centre-back has been sidelined for a handful of matches in 2021, which has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer short of options alongside Harry Maguire.
Lindelof, who was absent for United's goalless draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, has now opened up on his persistent back issue.
"I've been struggling a bit with my back. I've been having it for the last couple of months," he told United's official website. "I missed a few games as well and I am just trying to manage it in a good way.
"I missed a few games and I came back slowly. I played one game and then I got to rest again, it felt a bit better. It started to come back a little bit but I'm just trying to manage it in a good way, do the recovery right and then treatment. [I'm] just trying to manage it in a good way.
"I have been having these issues for the last couple of months but I'm still out there because I want to be playing, to help my team win games. That's the most important thing for me.
"If I'm sore for a few days after it or in a bit of discomfort, that's not a problem if the team wins. That's the most important thing and I just want to be out there to help the team."
Lindelof has been used 30 times in all competitions this season and is in contention to start United's derby clash with Manchester City on Sunday.