Victor Lindelof Is Perfect For Manchester United – Blomqvist

Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelof would be a “perfect” signing for Manchester United and could go on to be as good as Rio Ferdinand, Jesper Blomqvist has told the Manchester Evening News.

Lindelof, 22, is a reported target for United and his agent said earlier this month that he could move on when the transfer window opens in January.

Blomqvist, who played for United between 1998 and 2001, believes that Lindelof will need time to reach Ferdinand’s level — but he has the potential.

Blomqvist said: “I was watching the November match between Sweden and France on TV and caught a glimpse of Jose Mourinho in the stand and my first thought was that it could only be Victor Lindelof he was looking at.

“My second thought was what a great signing that would be for the player and Manchester United. It would be perfect.

“He’s quick, confident with the ball, likes to play and is very strong. For United fans, I think the best comparisons would be with Rio Ferdinand and Ronny Johnsen. I’m not saying he is at their level yet, but he is very capable of getting there.”

Lindelof joined Portuguese club Benfica in 2012 from Swedish outfit Vasteras SK at the age of just 17. He shone for Sweden at the European Under-21 Championship in 2015, being named in the Team of the Tournament and scoring the winning spot kick in the penalty shootout win in the final win against Portugal.

“He’s a mature player and a mature person. One thing I do like about him is that he hasn’t gone an easy route with his career,” Blomqvist added.

“I think making the decision to go to Portugal at that age and making a success of it and then doing what he did for the [Sweden] U21s shows the character of the player.

“Obviously, a move to Manchester United is a different level again. Not every Swede is Zlatan Ibrahimovic — but you get the feeling that Victor would handle it OK.”