Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United target Swedish defender Victor Lindelof is good enough for big clubs

Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Sweden international Victor Lindelof to make a switch to Old Trafford after admitting the Benfica defender is good enough to play for the big clubs.

The 22-year-old moved to Portugal from Swedish club Vasteras in 2012 and after spending one year at their academy, he found his way into their first team. The versatile defender, who can operate as a central defender and right-back, has been a key figure in Benfica's back four.

According to the Portuguese publication A Bola, United manager Jose Mourinho has set his sights on making a move for Lindelof in January. He has a €30m (£25.4m, $31.6m) release clause in his contract and is also attracting interest from Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

"I think Victor is doing great things, he is playing good for Benfica, he gets a lot of responsibility for the national team now, he is growing," Ibrahimovic said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

"Is he good enough for United? I think he's good enough for the big clubs out there. It's up to him what he wants and what the situation says. Whatever he chooses will be good for him. I know he is hot on the market so let him make the right choice, what fits him good."

Lindelof signed a contract extension in June 2015 and his current deal will keep him at Benfica until 2020. Despite strong interest from United and other top clubs across Europe, the Swedish defender admitted that he is happy with his current employers and is not looking to leave Estadio da Luz.

"There are always so many rumours going around, but I am very happy to play for Benfica and I have the opportunity to play in every game, which is very important for a player of my age. I am now only focused on the present and I want to stay here at Benfica for a long time," Lindelof told Portuguese publication A Bola.