It cannot be easy being the family of a footballer. Especially when – like with Manchester United’s long-serving £30 million man – an expiring contract leaves you wondering what the future holds.
With just one month left in the transfer window, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are stuck in limbo.
A sudden breakthrough in talks – West Ham want Wan-Bissaka, Fulham want McTominay and Eriksen has been linked with Anderlecht – can mean a rapid change of scenery. A sudden goodbye, a packing of the bags, and then you’re in a new city or even a new country.
Lindelof, like Wan-Bissaka and Eriksen, has less than 12 months left on his Manchester United contract.
Talks have been held regarding a potential reunion with Fred and Jose Mourinho in Turkey. The Telegraph reports that Fenerbahce are interested.
And it’s difficult not to feel a pang of sympathy for Lindelof’s partner, Maja Nilsson already in something of a ‘grieving process’ in the knowledge that a departure from Man United could bring an end to seven happy years in the UK.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Victor Lindelof could leave Manchester United
“I actually love England. We have lived there for seven years now,” Maja tells the Ursakta podcast. “So it really is like my home.
“We’ve been lucky because Victor has signed on for five years at a time. We have friends who have moved every year and (because the footballer is) on loan. I suffer with them. But we really knew that now we are in England.
“I have started a grieving process, because we don’t know. You never know what will happen.”
Having turned 30 in July, Lindelof and his wife are already giving some thought to where they will put down roots when the former Benfica stopper hangs up his boots.
“We have always said that we will move home (to Sweden),” Maja adds. “But I don’t think so.
“I think we are a bit into London. But it’s also a bit strange to move there for no reason. We only know two people there.”
United can still land Bayern Munich duo
With Matthijs de Ligt still a target and keen to swap Bayern Munich for Manchester United alongside Noussair Mazraoui, the Red Devils will first have to make room in their squad and their budget by agreeing a sale or two.
Wan-Bissaka’s departure would open the door for Mazraoui. That De Ligt interest, meanwhile, has created plenty of speculation about both Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
But with United keen to retain their revitalised England international, Lindelof appears the most likely sacrifice.
“Unless the club tell me I’m up for sale or I’m not wanted there anymore,” Maguire told Sky Sports recently, indicating that he is more likely than not to remain a Man United player in 2024/25.
“Everything I’ve heard and the action I’ve been shown from the club, I’m part of the future and it is time to crack on and make this club successful again, challenging for the big trophies.
“That’s what this club demands.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
