Manchester United’s second longest-serving player is set to leave Old Trafford and has already decided his next club.
Only one player has been at United for longer than Victor Lindelof, who completed a £31m move from Benfica back in the summer of 2017.
Over the past eight years Lindelof has played almost 300 games for the Premier League giants, winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup at the Theatre of Dreams.
Lindelof has made at least 35 appearances in five of his eight seasons at Manchester United but has struggled for game-time this term due to problems with fitness and more competition at the club.
The Sweden international is Ruben Amorim’s fifth-choice central defender behind Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez, currently out with a serious injury.
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Given the abundance of centre-backs at Old Trafford, Manchester United have been happy to let Lindelof’s contract run down and he will be a free agent come the summer.
The 30-year-old believes now is the right time for a move and is pushing for a summer move to Benfica, according to The Times.
Lindelof enjoyed his time in Portugal – where he won three league titles with Benfica – and still occasionally visits Lisbon during his time off.
Benfica are open to the defender returning this summer as they look to replace 37-year-old Nicolas Otamendi, who looks set for a move back to Argentina.
Manchester United will look to trim Ruben Amorim’s squad further this summer before bolstering the squad with a number of his own signings.
Man Utd's longest-serving players
Luke Shaw — joined July 2014
Victor Lindelof — joined July 2017
Diogo Dalot — joined July 2018
Harry Maguire — joined August 2019
Bruno Fernandes — joined January 2020
Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans, also out of contract at the end of the season, are both expected to leave.
United could also try to cash in on Antony following his bright loan spell at Real Betis and may receive offers for Marcus Rashford if he continues to impress at Aston Villa.
Lindelof and Joshua Zirzkee missed the decisive spot-kicks in a penalty shootout as Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham at the weekend.
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Following United’s latest setback, club legend Wayne Rooney said on BBC One: ‘I think he [Ruben Amorim] will get time.
‘It’s not a free hit because he’ll expect more from Man Utd then what we’re seeing since he’s been in.
‘It’s very difficult to come in during the season and have no pre-season, but he has to look to the future and moving forward.
‘He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.
‘Managers aren’t getting that time over the last 10-15 years. You have to be selfish as a manager and say “okay, if I don’t do it now I might not get that time.”
‘I think it’s a little naive to say they’re looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they’re a long way off that.’
Manchester United return to action on Thursday night in the Europa League against Spanish side Real Sociedad.
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