Unsettled Man United centre-back could be heading for AC Milan after Zlatan Ibrahimovic hint

Lindelof only has a contract with Man United until next June, and it is highly unlikely that he will be offered an extension, with the Sweden international therefore set to depart on a free transfer.

The centre-back was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the summer, but a toe injury which he picked up on the club's pre-season tour of the United States ended his chances of securing an exit.

Lindelof has made seven appearances for Man United this season, although he has only played 58 minutes of Premier League football, featuring off the bench against Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham United and Chelsea.

Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are both ahead of him in the pecking order, while Leny Yoro is now back to fitness after a fractured metatarsal, which will push the Swede further down the list in terms of the starting centre-back spots.

Lindelof is out of contract at Man United next summer

In theory, a change to a back three, which is expected to be the case under new head coach Ruben Amorim, could aid Lindelof's chances of playing more, but he is also behind Jonny Evans, while Harry Maguire is expected to be back from a muscular problem in the not too distant future.

Lazio were linked with Lindelof over the summer, but it is believed that there is currently strong interest from Milan.

Ibrahimovic played alongside Lindelof at Man United, with the former turning out for the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018 before moving to LA Galaxy, and he then returned to Milan to finish his career.

The 43-year-old is currently an advisor for Milan, and he has refused to rule out a move for Lindelof to San Siro next year amid the recent speculation.

"You never know. There are a lot of rumours being spread," Ibrahimovic told TV4.

"That rumour is more because I'm Swedish and Lindelof is Swedish. He is a fantastic player. I think he is doing well at United [but] we have many good players in that position. I don't know what he wants. You can probably ask him."

Should Man United offer Lindelof another contract?

Lindelof arrived at Man United in 2017 off the back of winning three Primeira Liga titles at Benfica, and he has made 266 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions.

The centre-back has largely struggled to show his best form, though, and with Man United now moving in a different direction, it is best for both parties to cut ties next summer.

Lindelof needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career, and moving to a club of Milan's ilk would be a wonderful opportunity for him.

A January exit is possible depending on Man United's injury situation in the middle of the campaign, but it is much more likely that he will leave the club on a free transfer next June.