According to new reports, Benfica manager Rui Vitoria insists Victor Lindelof was not dropped from the squad because he is being sold in a deal to EPL side Manchester United.
After the Christmas break in Sweden, the defender returned to Portugal this week but the center-back was not included in the squad that beat Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday.
It was reported that the red devils have cooled their pursuit of the 22-year-old as coach Jose Mourinho has decided to increase his faith in his present squad, particularly with the partnership of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.
However, Vitoria, while making comments about Lindelof’s issue at the club, said he will be back in training on Friday.
“He will be training with us (on Friday),” he said.
“He sat out of the 18 as did others. Leaving out Lindelof was my choice. We have five quality centre-backs.
“The president knows what to do with the fortunes of the club. There is no player who is not committed to Benfica.”
Many people at Old Trafford are bothered about the Portuguese club trying to skyrocket the price for Lindelof’s fees.
It seem the deal is now on a stand-still even though reports in Portugal claim a £38m deal is still on. But realistically, it appears nothing is moving forward since Manchester United are still yet to made a formal bid for Lindelof.
