Manchester United have decided to activate the 12-month extension option in the contract of Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelof, according to The Athletic.
The 29-year-old was entering into the final six months of his current deal at the Old Trafford club, but the option of another one-year was included in his last contract.
Lindelof has been a regular player for Man United under manager Erik ten Hag when fit, and he is viewed as important to the Dutchman’s plans and system.
The Sweden international has been the Red Devils’ most-used centre-back so far this season, making 18 appearances across all competitions.
While Lindelof can also play as a right-back and a defensive midfielder, he has been deployed at left-back several times this season and will hope to impress over the coming months and potentially earn a new deal.
He joined Man United from Benfica in June 2017 on a four-year contract with the option of an extra year, and he has featured in 249 games since then, weighing in with four goals.
Lindelof is not the only player whose deal was due to expire at the end of the campaign, with Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial and Hannibal Mejbri also out of contract in June 2024.
However, the Red Devils have opted against activating the 12-month extension option in the Frenchman’s contract, while a decision is yet to be reached on Mejbri and Wan-Bissaka as they also have the options in their current deals.
Man United are expected to undergo a major squad overhaul over the next two transfer windows, but Lindelof will remain with the club beyond next summer after incoming co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team approved his extension.
Although the British billionaire is yet to officially assume control at the Theatre of Dreams as the Premier League are yet to ratify his 25% acquisition of the Old Trafford club.
All footballing and significant sporting decisions including players’ contracts will have to be run past him during the ratification process.
