Victor Lindelof believes that it is "quite likely" that his Manchester United contract will be extended beyond next summer.
The 29-year-old's long-term future at Old Trafford has been questioned in recent weeks, with his current deal due to expire in June 2024.
Lindelof has not been one of the first names on the teamsheet since the arrival of manager Erik ten Hag, and he was regarded as a third-choice centre-back option behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez last season.
Nevertheless, the Sweden international featured 35 times for the Red Devils in the 2022-23 campaign and has since started seven of his 10 appearances in all competitions this season.
Lindelof remains behind both Varane and Martinez in the pecking order when the pair are fit, but he is ahead of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans as things stand.
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The defender joined Man United in 2017 under tutelage of Jose Mourinho and has made a total of 241 appearances, scoring three goals, while last season's EFL Cup triumph is the only time that he has lifted a trophy with the club.
Lindelof has been linked with a possible exit from Old Trafford, with Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan believed to be considering a move for the defender in 2024.
Earlier this year, Lindelof suggested that he may consider to seek pastures new in search of regular starts.
"Of course like every player, you want to play every game and obviously I haven't done that this season," Lindelof said during the international break in March. "But like I always say when I come here [international duty], it's a pleasure to be here and I'm always happy to represent my country.
"I want to play, that's why I play football, I want to play games, but I haven't thought about that [transfer away], right now I'm just focusing on the national team and then of course, the rest of the season with the club. Then in the summer we'll re-evaluate and see what is best."
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However, Lindelof has since expressed his desire to remain at Man United and is confident that the club will eventually extend his contract.
A recent report claims that the Red Devils are set to trigger the one-year option to extend Lindelof's contract, and the defender was asked about such rumours during a press conference while on international duty with Sweden this week.
"That's more than I heard," said Lindelof, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. "But I have an option year and there is a deadline for it. When exactly I don't know. But it feels quite likely that it will be activated.
"Absolutely [I want to continue at United]. I enjoy myself very much. I am entering my seventh year at the club. I feel good and the family feels good. It's a club that I really like, and that I love to represent."
Lindelof was rested for Sweden's 3-1 friendly win over Moldova last Thursday, but he is in contention to start against Belgium in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday night.
Oliver Thomas
