Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes £38m Victor Lindelof would impress at Manchester United as transfer talks open with Benfica

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes fellow Swede Victor Lindelof has the talent to shine for the world's top teams amid growing speculation the Benfica defender is set to join Manchester United in January.

United have opened talks with Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira over a £38million January move for the centre back, who has 11 international caps.

And Ibrahimovic, who took his season's tally to 16 with two goals in the weekend win at West Brom, has backed 22-year-old Lindelof to shine.

Manchester United are in talks with Benfica over a £38m move for defender Victor Lindelof

Lindelof, 22, has established himself in the Benfica first team over the past year

He (Lindelof) is growing. He has a lot of responsibility with the national team now,' Ibrahimovic said.

'Is he good enough for United? I think he is ready for the big clubs out there. It is up to him what he wants and what the situation says. Whatever he chooses, it will be good for him.

'I know he is hot on the market so let him make the right choice for him.'

Sixth-placed United, who have won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, host third-bottom Sunderland at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

They then take on Middlesbrough at home and West Ham at the London Stadium in what is a fairly favourable festive fixture list.

Jose Mourinho's team are currently four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.