Andreas Granqvist

Granqvist flattered by shock links to Manchester United

Veteran defender Andreas Granqvist says he is flattered by rumours linking him with a surprise move to Manchester United.

The 33-year-old captained Sweden to the World Cup quarter-final this summer, after which he returned to his former club Helsingborgs in Sweden. 

But reports in his native country have linked Granqvist with a shock January transfer to United, who are off to their worst start since the 1989-90 season

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United manager Jose Mourinho was frustrated in the off-season when he was unable to secure any defensive reinforcements, with the club strongly linked to Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire. 

The under-pressure boss is yet to find a settled centre-back pairing among a group that includes Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.

The manager's frustration was apparent on Saturday when he started Scott McTominay as a makeshift defender in a 3-1 defeat to West Ham.

Starting the 21 year old in defence highlighted the manager's lack of trust in his current options, and Granqvist could be seen as a temporary solution.

The veteran defender said that he is focused on Helsingborgs, but is open to the possibility of a transfer should an offer materialise. 

"I know that there is a lot of interest for me. United is incredibly flattering but I have not heard anything concrete yet," Granqvist told FotbollDireckt.

"I still do not want to exclude anything. If, for example, a big club comes with something in January, then we'll see."

Granqvist has experience in the Premier League, having played for Wigan between 2007 and 2008. 

The Sweden captain recently completed a five-year spell with Russian side Krasnodar.

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