Victor Lindelof agreed a move to Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in January before Erik ten Hag blocked a mid-season departure for the Manchester United man.
And thankfully he did.
Because the devastating double-blow suffered by Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane during that accursed Europa League quarter-final clash with Sevilla ensured that Victor Lindelof went, almost literally overnight, from benchwarmer to guaranteed starter in the spring.
Any concerns over the Swede’s ability to fill a Martinez or Varane-shaped void were quickly dispelled, meanwhile; Lindelof almost faultless during an outstanding end to a hitherto-difficult season.
The long-serving centre-half was arguably Manchester United’s Man of the Match during the FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, keeping Roberto de Zerbi’s scintillating side of the scoresheet at one end before slamming home the winning penalty after 120 exhausting minutes at Wembley.
Victor Lindelof a man reborn at Manchester United
“Very good,” Ten Hag told the Manchester Evening News after Lindelof helped United team-mate David de Gea secure the Golden Glove with a 1-0 triumph at Bournemouth.
“If you’re talking about clean sheets, it’s across the whole team; keeper, centre-halves are very important with that fact.
“Victor defended really well over many games in April and May. And together with Rapha (Varane), he is doing great; positioning, coaching, duelling…
“Very good.”
United signed Lindelof for £31 million in 2017, and he had looked to be heading for an exit this season, having started only four Premier League games between August and the end of January.
Ten Hag, however, had the foresight to block a proposed move to the Bundesliga after Eintracht Frankfurt agreed a mid-season switch for the one-time Benfica youngster, BILD now report.
Like fellow defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who himself appeared to be heading out the door in January, Lindelof has since established him as a vital member of Ten Hag’s squad.
According to The Sun, Lindelof will see the 12-month extension clause in his contract triggered. Harry Maguire is now the defender most likely to make way as United assess the likes of Kim Min-Jae, Jurrien Timber, Gleison Bremer and Axel Disasi.
The post Report: Man United's £31m man could have left before Ten Hag blocked exit appeared first on United In Focus.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/AO1yprF