Victor Lindelof is reportedly eyeing a summer departure from Manchester United, potentially ending his eight-year tenure at Old Trafford. The Swedish defender, who joined the club in 2017
under Jose Mourinho, has made over 270 appearances but has struggled for consistent game time this season due to persistent injuries.
Lindelof’s 2024-25 campaign has been disrupted by fitness issues, limiting his availability for both former manager Erik ten Hag and current boss Ruben Amorim. Most recently, he came off the bench during United’s FA Cup clash with Fulham, where he was one of two players—alongside summer signing Joshua Zirkzee—to miss in the penalty shootout, leading to the team’s elimination.
Return to Benfica on the cards?
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the 30-year-old defender is keen on a return to Benfica, the club he left for United eight years ago. With his contract set to expire in June, Lindelof is weighing up his options and views a move back to Estadio da Luz as a strong possibility.
Benfica, managed by Bruno Lage, is expected to undergo defensive changes this summer. Veteran centre-back Nicolas Otamendi could leave when his contract runs out, potentially returning to Argentina. Meanwhile, the futures of defenders Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva remain uncertain, opening the door for Lindelof to rejoin as a free agent.
Amorim prepares for squad overhaul
At Manchester United, Ruben Amorim is already planning a major squad reshuffle. Speaking ahead of the FA Cup tie against Fulham, Amorim made it clear that he will be "ruthless" in making changes, ensuring the squad aligns with his tactical vision.
“Everybody understands that in football, sometimes you stay, sometimes you move on,” Amorim said. “I like to be honest with players—I was a player myself, and honesty helps them process decisions. It may be hard at first, but they’ll understand in the end.”
With United’s last domestic cup hopes dashed, Lindelof and his teammates now turn their attention to the Europa League, where they face Real Sociedad in the round of 16. The first leg takes place in Spain on Thursday, with the return fixture at Old Trafford on March 13.
As United prepares for a crucial summer, Lindelof could be among the first to make way as Amorim reshapes the squad to fit his vision. Photo by Rolandhino1, Wikimedia commons.