Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was forced to leave the club's Europa League clash with Lyon after his three-year-old son was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury.
The Swedish international had been due to come on as a half-time substitute during last Thursday's quarter-final.
However, he was withdrawn from the match with Luke Shaw taking his place instead.
United manager Ruben Amorim later explained that Lindelof and teammate Noussair Mazraoui had pulled out of the tie for personal reasons.
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was forced to leave the club's Europa League clash with Lyon after his three-year-old son was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury
PA
The Red Devils went on to win the dramatic quarter-final 7-6 on aggregate after a comeback in extra time, with Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire all scoring late.
Lindelof's wife Maja has now revealed the distressing details behind his absence from the match.
Their three-year-old son Francis suffered a nasty domestic accident at home.
The toddler had been chasing his older brother Ted Louie when he fell into a glass staircase.
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Manchester United star Victor Lindelof captained the club against Wolves on Sunday
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The impact split Francis's forehead into two parts, requiring immediate emergency care.
He was rushed to hospital by ambulance just an hour before the Lyon game began.
The serious nature of the injury meant Francis needed plastic surgery to repair his forehead.
He remained in hospital both Thursday and Friday, with doctors putting him under anaesthetic for the procedure.
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Maja described the traumatic experience in detail, saying: "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."
She explained how the emergency unfolded: "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."
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Despite the frightening ordeal, Maja shared positive news about her son's recovery.
"The operation went well, and Francis is back on track. He is a Viking, and back to normal," she said.
"Everyone was so worried, but he continues his life as if nothing has happened."
Doctors have told the family that Francis will have a significant scar on his forehead.
Manchester United star Victor Lindelof has been married to his wife, Maja, since 2018
GETTY
"But never mind - I'm just happy that it went so well," Maja added.
Following the medical emergency, Lindelof returned to the Manchester United side on Sunday.
He captained the team against Wolves at Old Trafford.
Lindelof was substituted immediately after Pablo Sarabia scored the only goal in Wolves' 1-0 victory.
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