Victor Lindelof has an uncertain future at Manchester United after falling further down the pecking order this season following Lisandro Martinez’s arrival.
However, Fabrizio Romano believes Erik ten Hag will keep the 28-year-old at Old Trafford for at least another year.
Lindelof has started only five Premier League games in 2022/23, spending most of the campaign on the bench. Ten Hag has preferred Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at centre-back, leaving the Swedish international on the periphery.
Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan tried to sign Lindelof in January but were unsuccessful in their pursuit. Romano doesn’t believe the two clubs will return this summer and insists Ten Hag is not looking to cash in.
He wrote in his column on CaughtOffside.com: “Atletico Madrid asked for Victor Lindelof in January but decided to proceed with Caglar Soyuncu. Inter are on different targets now.
“I’m sure Erik ten Hag is happy with Lindelof and will try to keep the player as he did in January. I’m not sure Man United will let him leave. In January it was a big ‘no’.”
Lindelof has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, but most of his starts have come in Europe and the domestic cups rather than the league as he doesn’t have the manager’s trust.
The 28-year-old started five of United’s six Europa League group games but has been an unused substitute in the latter stages.
He played in three of United’s four Carabao Cup clashes but didn’t start in the semi-final second leg or final.
Lindelof has started just two league games since the turn of the year, amassing 189 minutes of football since mid-November.
The Swede was once a regular alongside Harry Maguire, but the pair now provide back-up. And with one year remaining on his deal, United must decide whether to cash in while Lindelof still has value or tie him down to a new deal.
Romano doesn’t believe Lindelof will be sold, but if United don’t want to keep him beyond 2024, would they really risk losing him on a free transfer rather than make back some money?
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
