Manchester United have reportedly rejected a loan bid from Inter Milan for Victor Lindelof.
Since moving to Old Trafford in 2017, the 28-year-old has been a regular in the team, making a total of 211 appearances in all competitions.
However, that has not remained the case since the arrival of Erik ten Hag, who has only handed the Sweden international four starts in the Premier League.
Although nine starts have been provided to Lindelof in other competitions, he is no longer regarded as a first-choice option in the middle of the backline.
Nevertheless, United still remain in a strong position with regards to his future, his contract running until 2024 with the club possessing the option of extending those terms by a further 12 months.
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According to the Daily Mail, United have no intention of allowing Lindelof to depart the Theatre of Dreams at this stage of the season.
Inter are said to have proposed a loan deal for Lindelof at a time when there is uncertainty over their own centre-back options for the remainder of 2022-23.
Milan Skriniar has agreed to move to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in the summer, but it was been widely alleged that the two parties remain in negotiations regarding a switch to Parc des Princes before the end of the month.
For that to materialise, the Italian giants will want to sign an alternative, and Lindelof was seemingly identified as one of those possibilities.
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Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag is not prepared to reduce the senior names in his squad as United remain in four different competitions.
Lindelof has made just three appearances since the turn of the year, two of which came in EFL Cup and FA Cup triumphs over Nottingham Forest and Reading respectively.
The former Benfica man will also expect to start when United host Forest in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday, possibly alongside Harry Maguire who is another squad member who will not be allowed to leave Old Trafford this month.
Ten Hag is reportedly taking a similar approach with Anthony Elanga, despite the playmaker attracting widespread interest in his signature.
Darren Plant
