Due to injuries, Victor Lindelof of Manchester United has a great opportunity to win a new contract by filling in at left defense for Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw.
After undergoing knee surgery, Malacia has missed the entire season. Before his current return date, the Dutchman experienced a setback during his recuperation.
Shaw suffers a muscle injury that keeps him out of action for the remainder of the campaign. The Englishman will miss a significant amount of time, United confirmed Tuesday.
Being without a left-back specialist at the moment, the news is a major setback for the Red Devils.
The club decided to loan Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica with a buy option while ending Sergio Reguilon’s loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January.
With right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka out due to injury, manager Erik ten Hag is unable to play Diogo Dalot in the left-back position, so Lindelof is presently the most likely option.
We think this is the Swede’s best chance to establish his credentials and secure a new contract.
When Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were out after the previous season, the 29-year-old played a critical role for United at centre defence.
Playing with three different partners, he began the final nine games of the league season.
With his distribution and focus in the box, Lindelof continued to be the standout performer, and in the upcoming weeks, he might continue to do the same at left-back.
The Swede is not used to the role naturally. This month, he struggled to convince at Aston Villa, but his decision-making seemed more certain against Luton Town.
He is, in our opinion, the club’s greatest option right now. Sofyan Amrabat, a midfielder by trade, played there earlier this season but lacked positional awareness.
Lindelof, who Transfermarkt now values at €18 million, has a great chance to win over the new leadership and secure a contract extension past June 2025.