Victor Lindelof has suggested that he would be open to returning to Benfica when his Manchester United contract expires.
The Sweden international is in the final months of his deal at Old Trafford, with his terms due to expire on June 30, and it is highly unlikely that the Red Devils will be offering the experienced defender an extension.
The 30-year-old has been restricted to just 14 appearances this season, mainly due to injury problems, but he is also down the pecking order when head coach Ruben Amorim has a full set of centre-backs available.
Recent fitness problems in that area of the field have allowed Lindelof to start the team's last two Premier League games against Arsenal and Leicester City, and he has put in two strong performances in the middle of the defence.
In total, the Swede has made 273 appearances for Man United since arriving from Benfica in 2017, scoring four goals and registering seven assists, and he will be bidding to help the Red Devils win the Europa League in the latter stages of the campaign.
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Lindelof is set to leave Man United on a free transfer this summer
"Benfica is a club that means a lot to me. They shaped me into the player I am today. I don't know what will happen and what my decision will be. But it is a club that I like," Lindelof told reporters while on international duty with Sweden.
"I don't just have myself to think about anymore. It's a decision we have to make as a family.
"Of course, I always try to think about football and what's best for me. But it also goes hand in hand. What I think will be good is usually good for the family. I'm making the decision with my wife too.
"Right now, we're keeping our thoughts within the family. I feel that I still have a high level in me. The idea is that I want to play at the highest level.
Opening up on his injury problems this season, Lindelof said: "It has been extremely difficult. I'm used to playing a lot of matches and not being able to do it continuously has been tough. It takes a toll on the psyche to do all the rehab, which is not very fun."
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Should Man United offer Lindelof a new contract?
Jonny Evans will be leaving on a free transfer this summer, while Lisandro Martinez is out for the remainder of the year with a serious knee injury, so there is an argument for handing Lindelof a new contract.
Man United are expected to move for another centre-back during the upcoming market, though, so it is incredibly difficult to imagine the Swede being offered the opportunity to stay at Old Trafford.
It would be fair to say that Lindelof has largely struggled to show his best form in Manchester, but he still has plenty of football left in him, and a return to Benfica, if an offer arrives, would surely be attractive from both a sporting and family point of view.
Matt Law
