Man Utd trigger contract clause to wrap up deal ahead of January transfer window

Manchester United have opted to trigger a one-year extension in Victor Lindelof's contract in a signal of intent before the January transfer window opens.

Lindelof has been a key player for Erik ten Hag this season, making 18 appearances in all competitions to fill in for his injured team-mates. With Lisandro Martinez out with a long-term injury and Raphael Varane struggling to stay fit, Lindelof has emerged as a constant in defence.

The 29-year-old’s contract was due to expire in June, meaning he would have been able to discuss a summer move with foreign clubs once the January window opened. But The Athletic says United have made a proactive decision ahead of the window by taking advantage of a clause in his deal, extending it until June 2025.

Lindelof joined United from Benfica in 2017 for £31million and has made 249 appearances in all competitions. That makes him one of the longest serving players at the club and he is considered a senior figure in the dressing room.

Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford have all signed long-term deals recently, but United have made the decision to allow Anthony Martial to leave on a free transfer in the summer. They have now decisions to make on Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri, who will be out of contract in June.

Ten Hag has already confirmed that United won’t be busy in the January transfer window. Asked earlier this month if new signings were on the cards, he said: “I don’t think so – and if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do. What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.

“As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with financial fair play, I think the club has to go with it.

"But realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter. The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It’s players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever.”

United are keen to sign a striker to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund up front, but the situation is complicated by the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. Although they are awaiting official ratification, the new 25 per cent owners need to be consulted on all decisions.

That means that Lindelof’s contract extension will have been signed off by the INEOS top brass, which is made up of Ratcliffe, director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc.