Victor Lindel-off? United and Jose cool interest on Benfica star
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It looked set to be one of the first – and possibly biggest – deals of the January transfer window, but now it appears Manchester United have gone quiet in their pursuit of Benfica defender Victor Lindelof.
The Swedish international has been linked with the Red Devils for months, and after a dodgy start to the season for Jose Mourinho’s men, it seemed defensive reinforcements were on the way.
A £50m move had been touted for the 22-year-old, a deal which would have made him United’s third-most expensive signing.
But Mourinho has now led his men to four straight league wins – conceded just twice in that spell – and it seems the Special One might just stick with what he’s got for now.
Indeed United are unbeaten since the 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea and have subsequently conceded just six goals thanks to the impressive centre-back partnership of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.
The run has coincided with Jones’ return from injury, and the former Blackburn defender has played every minute of United’s last eight fixtures alongside the Argentine international.
The duo have yet to taste defeat as a centre-half pairing.
That doesn’t mean the Red Devils won’t eventually make a move for Lindelof, but a January deal suddenly seems quite unlikely.
Mourinho will be hoping his new-found partnership provides another strong rearguard action on New Year’s Eve, when Middlesbrough make the trip to Old Trafford.
At 1/4 for a United victory – and 8/15 to keep a clean sheet – the bookies reckon Jones and Rojo will stand firm once more, and in doing so, push Lindelof further out of the window.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
