According to The Sun, Benfica are ‘interested in signing’ Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof on loan this summer. The 23-year-old endured a difficult debut season at Old Trafford after making the switch from Benfica 12 months ago and could be open to a move to his former club as a result.
United are currently overstocked in the defence, with Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind in the first-team squad, but the Red Devils want to keep Lindelof next season. The Swedish international was inconsistent in 2017/18 but looks set to stick around Old Trafford despite Benfica’s attempts to bring him back to the Estadio Da Luz.
Lindelof made 29 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at United but made only 13 Premier League starts for his troubles. He struggled to adapt and found himself low down Jose Mourinho’s pecking order as a result. Benfica aren’t the only club who were looking to save him from his nightmare in Manchester, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton also keen to sign the Swede on loan.
Nevertheless, The Sun believe suitors will be disappointed as United have no desire to let the centre-back leave.
I wouldn’t loan or sell Lindelof. In the 2018 World Cup, he has shown more upside growth than all United CBs. Besides, he only had one year in the EPL and 2018-19 could be the season he shows his full potential. Jones just watched Hazard blow by him in the 3rd place match. Rojos is either injured or too inconsistent. I like Smalling and think he should be one of the CDs that United keep. I also note most clubs try to buy Smalling rather than Jones or Rojos which is a statement of who they think is the better CD. If United had Bailly, Lindelof, Smalling and one more CD such as Maguire or Alderweireld, they would be in awesome shape. Forget Bunucci – although a great CD, his best years are behind him.