Manchester United News: Jose Mourinho blocks Victor Lindelof’s exit

Jose Mourinho has asked the Manchester United board not to sell Victor Lindelof this summer according to reports in France. The Swedish defender was a target for Lyon, and they were keen on signing him at any cost.

The Ligue 1 side were in talks with the Red Devils, and that is when the manager intervened and blocked the move report L’Equipe. Mourinho is looking to hand him a more significant role this year and wants to try him out as a right-back too.

According to L’Equipe, Lyon were interested in signing Lindelof before the start of the season on loan with an option to buy. However, Mourinho is completely against the idea of letting the Sweden international leave.

Lindelof joined United from Benfica for £31 million last summer but has struggled to get a first-team spot during his first season at Old Trafford. The defender started just 13 games in the Premier League and was 4th choice. He was behind Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in Mourinho’s pecking order.

Despite not being ‘good enough’ at United last season, Lindelof made it to Sweden’s World Cup squad this summer. The centre-back impressed in Russia and caught a few eyeballs, and Lyon were the only side to make a swift move for him. He is yet to join his United team-mates on their pre-season tour of the United States but is expected to arrive this week.

However, Mourinho not letting Lindelof leave has had no impact on their move for Harry Maguire and Yerry Mina. The manager is still keen on signing a centre-back and has his eyes set on Maguire.

Leicester City are demanding a world record fee for him, and that shifted Mourinho’s attention to Yerry Mina, Barcelona’s Colombian defender. He was close to joining Everton, but United have reportedly asked him to wait until they hold the final set of talks with Leicester.