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VICTOR LINDELOF is eyeing a return to Benfica when his Manchester United contract expires this summer.
The Swedish defender spent five years on the books of the Portuguese club before earning a £31 million move to Old Trafford in summer 2017.
Getty
Getty
RexLindelof has endured an injury ravaged season and has yet to start a Premier League game for the Red Devils.
And his campaign took a turn for the worse on Sunday when he missed his penalty as holders United crashed out of the FA Cup to Fulham in a shoot-out.
West Ham were one of the clubs who showed an interest in taking him on loan in January – but he looks likely to move as a free agent in the summer.
United have not held discussions with Lindelof – who has spent 79 days out injured this season – over an extension to his current deal.
Lindelof also spent around 112 days out last term with separate hamstring and groin issues.
The 30-year-old occasionally visits Lisbon during his time off and has fond memories of his five-year spell at Benfica.
He won three Portuguese league titles and two domestic cups with Benfica before Jose Mourinho signed him.
A return to Benfica would appeal and the club are on the look-out for a replacement for ex-Manchester City centre back Nicolas Otamendi.
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Club captain Otamendi is set to depart Benfica on a free this summer, with Argentinian side Rosario Central keen on signing him.
The World Cup winner could even link up with Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in a few months.
Otamendi played every single minute of Argentina‘s winning campaign in Qatar 2022.
Lindelof has played 270 times for United and has scored four goals.
He was relegated to United’s fifth-choice central defender last summer after Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro joined from Bayern Munich and Lille respectively.
He is also behind Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire in the pecking order.
The Red Devils activated a one-year extension to Maguire’s contract, meaning he will remain at Old Trafford until the end of next season.
The club also signed 18-year-old centre back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal last month.
United are expected to revamp their squad this summer after another dismal season, which has left them 14th in the Prem.
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham
MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.
Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.
Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.
Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.
He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.
United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.
There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.
Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.
But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?
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