Man United defender Victor Lindelof gushes over former club Benfica amid speculation linking him with a return to Lisbon as his Old Trafford career appears to be nearing its end

Victor Lindelof has opened up about his injury frustration at Manchester United and the prospect of a return to Benfica as his Old Trafford appears to be drawing to a close.

Lindelof signed from the Lisbon club for £31million in the summer of 2017 and is set to leave at the end of the season after United signed Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven.

Benfica may offer him a move back to Portugal and the 30-year-old central defender made no secret of how he feels about his old club as he addressed his future before Sweden’s friendly against Northern Ireland in Stockholm.

‘Benfica is a club that means a lot to me,’ he said. ‘They shaped me into the player I am today. I don’t know what will happen and what my decision will be. But it is a club that I like.’

Lindelof, who has two sons with his wife Maja, added: ‘I don’t just have myself to think about anymore. It’s a decision we have to make as a family.

‘Of course, I always try to think about football and what’s best for me. But it also goes hand in hand. What I think will be good is usually good for the family. I’m making the decision with my wife too.

The Swede has made no secret of his feelings towards his former club, who may prove to be his landing spot next term

The 30-year-old, who joined the Red Devils in 2017, has been hampered by injury throughout his spell

‘Right now, we’re keeping our thoughts within the family. I feel that I still have a high level in me. The idea is that I want to play at the highest level.’

Lindelof has made a total of 14 appearances and just six starts for United this season. He missed the start of the campaign with a toe injury and was sidelined for another month over Christmas.

‘It has been extremely difficult,’ he admitted. ‘I’m used to playing a lot of matches and not being able to do it continuously has been tough. It takes a toll on the psyche to do all the rehab, which is not very fun.’