Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has deemed exit-linked centre-back Victor Lindelof ‘untouchable’ ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to BILD, the Dutchman is keen to retain the Swede’s services after knocking back approaches from Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan in January,
Lindelof’s future at Old Trafford has been in doubt after last summer’s acquisition, Lisandro Martinez, nailed down a place in the Red Devils’ starting XI alongside Raphael Varane.
Pushed to the fringes of Ten Hag’s squad along with underachieving captain Harry Maguire, the 28-year-old emerged as a likely candidate to leave United last winter.
Atletico and Inter came knocking on United’s door to sign the former Benfica defender, only for the Dutch manager to slam the door shut in their face.
It proved a massive call as Lindelof slotted back into the line-up after Martinez picked up a season-ending injury in April and defied all expectations.
He and Varane forged a formidable defensive partnership to lay the foundation for Man United’s return to the Champions League, reminding the Old Trafford faithful why the club paid €35 million to sign him in 2017.
And it looks like his astonishing form at the tail-end of the 2022/23 season has earned him a lifeline, perhaps even running his candidacy for a new deal.
Lindelof’s contract at the Theatre of Dreams runs until 2024, but Ten Hag’s trust in the Sweden captain could increase the likelihood of him extending his stay at the club.
With Lindelof now off the market and Napoli weighing up a contract extension for Kim Min-jae, it’s uncertain whether Man United will bring in a new centre-half in the coming months.
It still feels like the South Korean star could join Ten Hag’s troops, but what’s the point of keeping Lindelof only to place him on the bench again?
