Transfer Centre

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho 'decides to keep Victor Lindelof'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 11 July 2018

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reportedly decides to keep hold of Victor Lindelof and will offer the Sweden international more first-team football next season.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly decided to keep hold of Victor Lindelof and offer the defender more first-team football next season.

Lindelof endured a difficult debut campaign at Old Trafford following his £31m move from Benfica last summer, starting only 13 Premier League games despite a number of injuries hitting United in that area of the pitch.

United have been heavily linked with a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld, which would further limit Lindelof's first-team opportunities, leading to speculation that he could be moved on this summer.

However, The Express reports that Mourinho has been impressed with Lindelof's performances for Sweden at this summer's World Cup and will give him more first-team chances next season as a result.

A number of clubs are thought to be monitoring the 23-year-old's situation, but United are now thought to be more likely to sell either Chris Smalling, Phil Jones or Marcos Rojo should they complete the signing of Alderweireld.

Eric Bailly is expected to be the first-choice centre-back next season, although Mourinho has made signing a new defender one of his top priorities for the summer transfer window.