Ruben Amorim has been sent a clear message by Manchester United star Victor Lindelof during the international break. The defender is out of contract in the summer and has only started two Premier League games this season, with both coming since the start of the month.
Lindelof got another run-out for Sweden on Tuesday night, when he played the full 90 minutes on the right side of a back-three and helped his nation to a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland. Having seen regular action in recent weeks after spending the early months of the season out in the cold, Lindelof has made it clear that he does not want to be sidelined again.
“It’s been a while,” said the 30-year-old, who has racked up nearly 300 appearances since signing for United in 2017. “It felt good. It’s nice to play 90 minutes. I need minutes.
“We play with very high intensity in the national team so it’s fun to hold for 90 minutes. It’s tough and a demanding way to play football. But we have to do that, too. It still felt like we solved it well, but it’s a little different sometimes to be so high up. It was like back in the day when you played football.”
The problem for Lindelof is that his chances of getting the minutes he wants are diminishing by the day.
On his last start for United – the 3-0 win at Leicester City directly before the international break – Lindelof was one of only three fit defenders for Amorim to choose from. But a wave of returning centre-backs looks set to crowd the Swede out of the starting line-up.
Leny Yoro missed the last two matches with a foot injury which Amorim said was only short-term. Harry Maguire only just missed out on the Leicester game, which suggests he will be back to fitness after two more weeks of rest. And young Ayden Heaven, who was stretchered off at the King Power Stadium, is expected to return much sooner than first feared.
Lindelof’s wishes could therefore fall on deaf ears as Amorim looks to finish the season on a positive note. Although his contract is up at the end of June, the defender has not completely closed the door on signing an extension if the club is willing to put one on the table.
“I’m very comfortable at Manchester United,” he said. “I’ve been there for a long time, and it’s the world’s best league. I’ll have to talk to everyone involved going forward.”