Soccer

Victor Lindelof joins David de Gea in committing future to Manchester United

Victor Lindelof (left) has agreed a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2024. Picture by PA
Victor Lindelof (left) has agreed a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2024. Picture by PA Victor Lindelof (left) has agreed a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2024. Picture by PA

MANCHESTER United have secured Victor Lindelof's long-term future after agreeing a deal with the defender until at least 2024.

Having finally got David De Gea's extension over the line on Monday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have announced a new and improved contract for the Sweden international.

Lindelof was linked with Barcelona over the summer but has ended any such talk by committing his future to the Old Trafford giants, signing a deal until 2024 with the option of a further year.

"Since the day I arrived at United it has felt like home," he said. "I have grown significantly both as a player and as a person in the last two years and for that I am grateful to everyone at the club for their help and support.

"I love playing football and my aim now is to help the team to win trophies and repay the fans for their unrivalled support.

"I know that everyone at the club shares this vision and will give everything to get Manchester United back to where it belongs.

"I'm still young and know I can improve further but with the help of the boss and his coaching staff, I believe that only good things are ahead for this great club."

Lindelof joined from Benfica in a 35 million euros (£30.75million) deal in 2017 and endured a tough first campaign at United.

But last season the 25-year-old kicked on and was runner-up to Luke Shaw in the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year voting.

United boss Solskjaer said: "Victor has established himself here and has become a very important part of our team.

"He brings calmness on the pitch and I can see that he is determined to help this club and to be successful here.

"I'm extremely happy that he has committed his future to Manchester United. We're all looking forward to working together to deliver the success and get United back to where we know the club belongs."

Meanwhile, Daniel James will miss United's Europa League opener against Astana tonight along with Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.

The fleet-footed winger picked up a knock in Saturday's win against Leicester and was absent from United's session yesterday, when Pogba (ankle) and Shaw (hamstring) did individual work.

Martial (thigh) and Eric Bailly (knee) are out through injury, but Jesse Lingard (illness) and Diogo Dalot (hip) trained with the rest of the squad on the eve of the match. Solskjaer has confirmed Mason Greenwood, Fred and Axel Tuanzebe will start against Astana, along with back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

The inclusion of Greenwood is most eye-catching, having been confirmed as a starter after four substitute appearances this season.

"He is still very young, Mason, but he's maturing," Manchester United manager Solskjaer said. "He's developed so much in the last six months since I came in.

"I remember the kid who just wanted to play with mates in the U18s. And now he's knocking on a door, he's ready to play these games.

"For me, he has been in the Under-21s with England, he's tasting it more and more. And his appetite for football must be growing.

"I just don't want to put too much pressure on him, apart from go out there and enjoy yourself. Work hard, close down because when the ball lands in your feet I know you're going to score anyway. I know you'll make the right finish. Keeper might make a fantastic save but he's one of the best finishers I've seen.

"It's just that enjoyment, express yourself, go out at Old Trafford because there'll be 11 Astana players living the dream tomorrow. It must be one of the biggest games of their careers for some of these players, but I want it to be a memorable one for our players as well and Mason is one of them."