Manchester United reject Atletico Madrid approach for Victor Lindelof

Manchester United have rejected an approach from Atletico Madrid for Victor Lindelof as Erik ten Hag does not want to lose him.

According to eminent journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid had an offer knocked back by Manchester United for 28-year-old defender Victor Lindelof in this winter transfer window.

Manchester United are not expected to have a busy transfer window as their only remaining signing will likely be Wout Weghorst. The Red Devils have reportedly agreed on a loan deal and have to pay Turkish giants Besiktas a meagre compensation for his service.

Manchester United signed Lisandro Martinez from Ajax in the summer. And the Argentine international has been an instant success at Old Trafford. His overnight rise to fame has left Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as backup options this season.

Maguire particularly has been the subject of severe criticism, as his performances have not been up to the mark. He is likely to be placed in the transfer market in the summer transfer window if the scenario does not change this season.

Atletico Madrid are negotiating with Wolves for Felipe — next step of the domino effect would be Atléti to sign Çağlar Söyüncü from #LCFC already in January. ⚪️🔴 #Atléti

Atletico also asked for Victor Lindelöf weeks ago but Man United rejected as Ten Hag wants to keep him. pic.twitter.com/bVPVaHa0GZ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2023

Lindelof has been the preferred choice in the UEFA Europa League, while he has also started both matches in the Carabao Cup. Manchester United recently advanced to the semi-finals of the League Cup with a thumping win over Charlton Athletic and are scheduled to face Nottingham Forest in the next round.

Both Lindelof and Maguire will likely have more opportunities as their progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals means the English giants are poised to have a dense January with six games still to play this month.

The condensed line of fixtures will start with the derby against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday and might end with the reverse tie of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. So it is hardly surprising that Manchester United have rejected an approach from Atletico Madrid for Lindelof.

The Spanish giants submitted an enquiry for the 28-year-old defender. But Manchester United had no interest in parting ways with Lindelof this month. With Felipe and Mario Hermoso linked with possible January departures, Atletico Madrid need a new centre-back. And Caglar Soyuncu will likely join the Spanish outfit after their failure to sign the Manchester United defender.

Lindelof will have ample opportunities to impress Erik ten Hag, and he certainly is ahead of Maguire as long as the preference order is concerned. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the second half of the 2022/23 season for Manchester United.