Manchester United have decided to extend Victor Lindelof’s contract in the summer in a vote of confidence for the Swedish international.
Lindelof has spent most of the season on the substitutes’ bench at United, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane established as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice defensive pairing. But he has been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks, starting all four of the most recent matches.
Martinez and Varane have been sidelined through injury, while Harry Maguire missed the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton due to suspension. Lindelof has therefore played the past two matches alongside Luke Shaw – and it seems he’s impressed Ten Hag.
The Daily Star reports that United will trigger a clause in his contract in June to extend his deal by 12 months. Lindelof’s current contract is due to expire in June 2024, but the decision will see him remain with the club for another year.
Lindelof joined United in a £31million move from Benfica in July 2017 and he has gone on to make 223 appearances for the club in all competitions. While he is not expected to be first-choice when others are fit, Ten Hag views him as a valuable squad player.
The 28-year-old is highly regarded behind the scenes at Carrington and his versatility is another plus point: although he’s more adept at playing centre-back, Lindelof is able to fill in at right-back as well.
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His technical ability was on show at Wembley last weekend when he kept his cool to fire his penalty into the top corner in sudden death and take advantage of Solly March’s miss.
Speaking recently, Ten Hag explained his philosophy when it comes to using the entire squad. "We have a squad – we have more than 11 starters – so now others are on and, when their time is there, you have to show and contribute to the team, you have to be ready. That is what we expect and that is what we demand," he said.
“If you find excuses, if you want to find excuses, you have to look for another club. When the moment is there you have to contribute and that is what we demand.”
Back in March, while on international duty with Sweden, Lindelof admitted he was considering his future due to a lack of game time.
"Of course like every player, you want to play every game and obviously I have not done that this season. But I haven't thought about that, right now I'm focusing on the national team and then of course the rest of the season with the club," he said.
"Then in the summer we'll have to re-evaluate and see what's best. But like I always say when I come here, it's a pleasure to be here and I'm very happy to represent my country and I'm really looking forward to the games that we have."
