Report: United ends pursuit of Benfica's Lindelof

Manchester United fans awaiting Victor Lindelof's reported arrival are out of luck after the Premier League side allegedly ended its pursuit of the Benfica defender, reports Simon Stone of BBC Sport.

The Swedish centre-back had been linked with a move to United for several weeks, and reports suggested a deal could be completed during the January transfer window.

In fact, Lindelof's move to Old Trafford was reportedly so close that he'd already been assigned the vacant No. 2 jersey ahead of a transfer that was expected to cost United up to £42 million.

However, manager Jose Mourinho's interest in the 22-year-old has been curbed by the recent performances of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in the heart of United's defence, as the pair has formed a potent partnership at the back, reports Stone.

The defensive pairing has been in the centre of United's defence for nine of the club's last 11 matches. In that time, United has gone unbeaten, while the duo of Jones and Rojo have seen the club concede just seven goals.

Meanwhile, Eric Bailly could be unavailable for up to a month after being named to Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations squad. Regardless, Mourinho will be able to call upon the likes of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind to deputise at the back.