UTD Podcast: Lindelof on transfer rumours

In a brand-new episode, which you can download from Deezer and other podcast apps, Lindelof joins hosts Sam Homewood and David May to discuss a whole host of subjects, including his early career, his time in Portugal with Benfica and winning the Swedish Golden Ball award – twice!

A particularly insightful section of the pod covers transfer speculation, with Victor touching upon what it’s like when you find out one of the world’s biggest football clubs is interested in signing you.

“I don’t read a lot, I never read [newspapers],” said Lindelof. “Of course, I heard rumours but when my agent told me I said, 'I don’t want to hear anything. That’s your job. When you have something concrete then you can call me, because right now I just want to focus on football.'

“When United wanted to sign me, I think it was in January [2017]. Things didn’t happen, but I knew they wanted me. I wanted to focus on my football, because I wanted to win the title and the cups and everything [with Benfica]. I’ve always been mentally strong, which I think is why I was able to carry on.

"I just carried on, kept working hard and told my agent, 'As soon as the season is at an end, you can come back to me and tell me what’s happening.'

“In those last few months of the season, we won every game in the league and the Portuguese Cup as well. It was a great end for me to win those trophies. 

“After the last game, my agent called me straightaway and explained the situation [with United].”

The Reds announced Victor's signing in June 2017 and the Vasteras-born defender joined up with the squad the following month.

Although he was sad to leave Benfica, who helped develop him from a full-back or defensive midfielder into a centre-back, Lindelof admits in our podcast that the time was right to move on to bigger things.

“It was mixed feelings. I was very happy there and I won three [league] titles but I felt like it was time to go to the next level,” the 25-year-old explains.

“I love challenges and I think that’s the best way to improve. To always look forward to those challenges and always want to play at the highest level, compete against others who are good: that’s how you become better. It was time to move on and to jump on the next train. [It was a] great opportunity for me.”

After a period of acclimatisation in Manchester, Lindelof established himself as first choice ahead of the 2018/19 season and signed a new deal at Old Trafford in September.

Victor admitted putting pen to paper was a no-brainer and said he has many more things he wants to achieve at the club, not least clinching a first piece of silverware.

“When they offered me a new contract it was very, very easy for me. I never really looked at [the contract]. I just took up the pen and signed it.

“I’m very happy here and I want to be here for many more years to come and I know that I can become a better player here.

“I know the club can help me and I want to stay here for more years and hopefully we can win some trophies as well. That’s my main goal.”

You can listen to the full Lindelof episode on Deezer and other podcast apps now. Check out manutd.com/podcasts for links to other editions.