One of Manchester United’s current longest-serving players in the active squad has confirmed he retains a desire to play at the highest level despite links away from the club this summer.
Manchester United are set to undergo a mass exodus in regards to their current playing squad in this summer’s transfer window, with a number of players linked with moves away.
One of the most high-profile of these players is former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who is anticipated to leave the club, three years after completing a £70m move from the Spanish giants.
More long-term players like Marcus Rashford are linked with moves away from United, but there are a few within the current playing squad who, despite being likely to leave Old Trafford, are eager to remain playing their football at the highest level.
Victor Lindelof confirms desire to play at highest level
Victor Lindelof has been at Manchester United since 2017, when he signed from Benfica under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, and despite being linked away with a move from the club this summer due to his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Swedish defender has no intentions of dropping down a level.
Speaking to reporters from his home nation during his recent international duty obligations, Lindelof highlighted his desire to remain playing at the “highest level” next season.
“I don’t just have myself to think about anymore. It’s a decision we have to make as a family”, said Lindelof.
“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.”
There have been no concrete links as of yet to suggest where Lindelof could play his football next season if he does leave Manchester United, but the current expectation is he leaves the club when his contract expires in June.
Lindelof was linked to Saudi Arabia last season, but even then he was adamant he wanted to stay in Europe if he did depart from United.
United will need to replace Lindelof
Lindelof has been a good servant for United since he joined, and he will need to be replaced if he does leave the club this summer. The replacement may not need to come from the transfer window, however, with United having a lot of defensive talent in the academy that could be ready to break through.
One of those players is 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki, who has already been named in a number of Ruben Amorim’s matchday squads this season.
Kukonki seemed to impress Amorim upon his arrival at the club as manager in November, with the Portuguese coach himself publicly stating he believes the left-sided center-back is ready for the Premier League.
Speaking in December, Amorim said, “He’s 16, but he impressed me a lot, so it’s also a sign to the youth players that they can be here.”
“If something happened with the first team, they have to step up and I think he’s ready, he’s very adult to handle the Premier League’s demands.”
Alternatively, if the club does decide to go into the transfer market, it seems there is still interest in Jarrad Branthwaite, with recent reports suggesting he could push for a move away from Everton this summer.
The Reds will have to sign a defender this summer due to the potential departure of Lindelof, as well as the uncertainty over how Lisandro Martinez could return from his ACL injury.
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