Manchester United star ‘wants to return to former club’ after “nightmare” vs Fulham

One Manchester United player reportedly wants to return to his former club following a “nightmare” against Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Manchester United have spent the past year working to reduce their wage bill and generate transfer funds as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to steady the club’s finances.

After offloading Jadon Sancho to Chelsea last summer, United continued their clear-out in January, loaning Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, sending Antony to Real Betis for the rest of the season, and allowing Tyrell Malacia to join PSV Eindhoven—moves that have cut over £2 million per month from the wage bill.

Several academy graduates also left on loan during the winter window, though these departures were primarily about securing game time for fringe players in Rúben Amorim’s squad rather than financial considerations.

Despite these exits, United still have several high earners on their books, with the contracts of Casemiro, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount frequently criticised by fans as costly missteps.

Many of these players are expected to be sold or released in the coming months as the club look to free up funds ahead of what could be a significant summer transfer window.

Lindelöf wants to return to his former club

Another player who is expected to leave the club this summer is centre-back Victor Lindelöf, whose contract expires at the end of June with no hope of an extension.

The Swedish international captain has been at Old Trafford for eight years following a move from Portugal in 2017, where he signed for just over £30 million from Benfica.

With the player set to depart at the end of the season, it has been reported by Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness) that Lindelöf now wants to return to Benfica this summer.

Lindelöf moved to Benfica as an Academy player and spent five years at the club before signing for United, and the report states that the 30-year-old still visits Portugal frequently and feels the time is right for him to return.

The player earns around £120,000-a-week at Old Trafford, a significant amount of money for a player who has played just 407 minutes this campaign, and United will be happy to see him off their wage books.

Lindelöf’s nightmare against Fulham

The Swede recently spent 15 games on the sidelines with an injury, returning for a one-minute cameo against Ipswich last week before playing 67 minutes against Fulham in the FA Cup after coming on as a substitute.

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Fans were not impressed with Lindelöf’s “nightmare” display, with the centre-back being spun within moments of coming on and generally looking much weaker than Leny Yoro, who he replaced.

This performance was compounted when he stepped up to take his penalty in the shootout, fourth in United’s order after Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro.

Lindelöf saw his penalty saved, which was the first of two, with Joshua Zirkzee’s effort soon after also being stopped by Bernd Leno as the club were knocked out of the FA Cup.

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