diff --git a/src/network/netdev/bridge.c b/src/network/netdev/bridge.c
index cb00780b8a..0c804adb2e 100644
--- a/src/network/netdev/bridge.c
+++ b/src/network/netdev/bridge.c
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@
 #include "vlan-util.h"
 
 /* callback for brige netdev's parameter set */
-static int netdev_bridge_set_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        NetDev *netdev = userdata;
+static int netdev_bridge_set_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, NetDev *netdev) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
@@ -129,8 +128,8 @@ static int netdev_bridge_post_create(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, sd_netlink_mess
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not append IFLA_INFO_DATA attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, netdev_bridge_set_handler,
-                                  netdev_destroy_callback, netdev, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, netdev_bridge_set_handler,
+                               netdev_destroy_callback, netdev);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/netdev/geneve.c b/src/network/netdev/geneve.c
index 1742e399b8..089bbfea22 100644
--- a/src/network/netdev/geneve.c
+++ b/src/network/netdev/geneve.c
@@ -2,12 +2,14 @@
 
 #include <net/if.h>
 
+#include "sd-netlink.h"
+
 #include "alloc-util.h"
 #include "conf-parser.h"
 #include "extract-word.h"
 #include "geneve.h"
+#include "netlink-util.h"
 #include "parse-util.h"
-#include "sd-netlink.h"
 #include "string-util.h"
 #include "strv.h"
 #include "missing.h"
@@ -17,8 +19,7 @@
 #define DEFAULT_GENEVE_DESTINATION_PORT 6081
 
 /* callback for geneve netdev's created without a backing Link */
-static int geneve_netdev_create_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        NetDev *netdev = userdata;
+static int geneve_netdev_create_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, NetDev *netdev) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
@@ -136,8 +137,8 @@ static int netdev_geneve_create(NetDev *netdev) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not append IFLA_LINKINFO attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, geneve_netdev_create_handler,
-                                  netdev_destroy_callback, netdev, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, geneve_netdev_create_handler,
+                               netdev_destroy_callback, netdev);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/netdev/netdev.c b/src/network/netdev/netdev.c
index c3cebe450c..f0e9d00246 100644
--- a/src/network/netdev/netdev.c
+++ b/src/network/netdev/netdev.c
@@ -191,14 +191,6 @@ static NetDev *netdev_free(NetDev *netdev) {
 
 DEFINE_TRIVIAL_REF_UNREF_FUNC(NetDev, netdev, netdev_free);
 
-void netdev_destroy_callback(void *userdata) {
-        NetDev *netdev = userdata;
-
-        assert(userdata);
-
-        netdev_unref(netdev);
-}
-
 void netdev_drop(NetDev *netdev) {
         if (!netdev || netdev->state == NETDEV_STATE_LINGER)
                 return;
@@ -242,7 +234,7 @@ static int netdev_enter_failed(NetDev *netdev) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int netdev_enslave_ready(NetDev *netdev, Link* link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+static int netdev_enslave_ready(NetDev *netdev, Link* link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
         int r;
 
@@ -269,8 +261,8 @@ static int netdev_enslave_ready(NetDev *netdev, Link* link, sd_netlink_message_h
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not append IFLA_MASTER attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -314,8 +306,7 @@ static int netdev_enter_ready(NetDev *netdev) {
 }
 
 /* callback for netdev's created without a backing Link */
-static int netdev_create_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        NetDev *netdev = userdata;
+static int netdev_create_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, NetDev *netdev) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
@@ -336,7 +327,7 @@ static int netdev_create_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *
         return 1;
 }
 
-static int netdev_enslave(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+static int netdev_enslave(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
@@ -512,8 +503,7 @@ int netdev_get_mac(const char *ifname, struct ether_addr **ret) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int netdev_create(NetDev *netdev, Link *link,
-                         sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+static int netdev_create(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
@@ -580,15 +570,15 @@ static int netdev_create(NetDev *netdev, Link *link,
                         return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not append IFLA_LINKINFO attribute: %m");
 
                 if (link) {
-                        r = sd_netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, callback,
-                                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+                        r = netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, callback,
+                                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
                         if (r < 0)
                                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
                         link_ref(link);
                 } else {
-                        r = sd_netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, netdev_create_handler,
-                                                  netdev_destroy_callback, netdev, 0, __func__);
+                        r = netlink_call_async(netdev->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, netdev_create_handler,
+                                               netdev_destroy_callback, netdev);
                         if (r < 0)
                                 return log_netdev_error_errno(netdev, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -604,7 +594,7 @@ static int netdev_create(NetDev *netdev, Link *link,
 }
 
 /* the callback must be called, possibly after a timeout, as otherwise the Link will hang */
-int netdev_join(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+int netdev_join(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
         int r;
 
         assert(netdev);
diff --git a/src/network/netdev/netdev.h b/src/network/netdev/netdev.h
index 8c84a43971..bfe1094181 100644
--- a/src/network/netdev/netdev.h
+++ b/src/network/netdev/netdev.h
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@
 
 #include "conf-parser.h"
 #include "list.h"
+#include "../networkd-link.h"
 #include "time-util.h"
 
 typedef struct netdev_join_callback netdev_join_callback;
-typedef struct Link Link;
 
 struct netdev_join_callback {
-        sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback;
+        link_netlink_message_handler_t callback;
         Link *link;
 
         LIST_FIELDS(netdev_join_callback, callbacks);
@@ -153,13 +153,13 @@ void netdev_drop(NetDev *netdev);
 
 NetDev *netdev_unref(NetDev *netdev);
 NetDev *netdev_ref(NetDev *netdev);
-void netdev_destroy_callback(void *userdata);
+DEFINE_TRIVIAL_DESTRUCTOR(netdev_destroy_callback, NetDev, netdev_unref);
 DEFINE_TRIVIAL_CLEANUP_FUNC(NetDev*, netdev_unref);
 
 int netdev_get(Manager *manager, const char *name, NetDev **ret);
 int netdev_set_ifindex(NetDev *netdev, sd_netlink_message *newlink);
 int netdev_get_mac(const char *ifname, struct ether_addr **ret);
-int netdev_join(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t cb);
+int netdev_join(NetDev *netdev, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t cb);
 
 const char *netdev_kind_to_string(NetDevKind d) _const_;
 NetDevKind netdev_kind_from_string(const char *d) _pure_;
diff --git a/src/network/netdev/wireguard.c b/src/network/netdev/wireguard.c
index d5a0a19e9f..7fefef3004 100644
--- a/src/network/netdev/wireguard.c
+++ b/src/network/netdev/wireguard.c
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ static int wireguard_resolve_handler(sd_resolve_query *q,
                         return 0;
                 }
 
-                r = sd_event_source_set_destroy_callback(s, netdev_destroy_callback);
+                r = sd_event_source_set_destroy_callback(s, (sd_event_destroy_t) netdev_destroy_callback);
                 if (r < 0) {
                         log_netdev_warning_errno(netdev, r, "Failed to set destroy callback to event source: %m");
                         return 0;
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-address-label.c b/src/network/networkd-address-label.c
index d0fd2a0969..94a12f8bfe 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-address-label.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-address-label.c
@@ -79,8 +79,7 @@ static int address_label_new_static(Network *network, const char *filename, unsi
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int address_label_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int address_label_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(rtnl);
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ static int address_label_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *
 int address_label_configure(
                 AddressLabel *label,
                 Link *link,
-                sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback,
+                link_netlink_message_handler_t callback,
                 bool update) {
 
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
@@ -138,9 +137,9 @@ int address_label_configure(
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not append IFA_ADDRESS attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
-                                  callback ?: address_label_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
+                               callback ?: address_label_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-address-label.h b/src/network/networkd-address-label.h
index da506b2de4..6922cb0faf 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-address-label.h
+++ b/src/network/networkd-address-label.h
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ void address_label_free(AddressLabel *label);
 
 DEFINE_TRIVIAL_CLEANUP_FUNC(AddressLabel*, address_label_free);
 
-int address_label_configure(AddressLabel *address, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
+int address_label_configure(AddressLabel *address, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
 
 CONFIG_PARSER_PROTOTYPE(config_parse_address_label);
 CONFIG_PARSER_PROTOTYPE(config_parse_address_label_prefix);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-address.c b/src/network/networkd-address.c
index 37be7944a8..dce9a73c19 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-address.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-address.c
@@ -428,8 +428,7 @@ int address_get(Link *link,
         return -ENOENT;
 }
 
-static int address_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int address_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(m);
@@ -449,7 +448,7 @@ static int address_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void
 int address_remove(
                 Address *address,
                 Link *link,
-                sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+                link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
 
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
         _cleanup_free_ char *b = NULL;
@@ -483,9 +482,9 @@ int address_remove(
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not append IFA_LOCAL attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
-                                  callback ?: address_remove_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
+                               callback ?: address_remove_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -558,7 +557,7 @@ static int address_acquire(Link *link, Address *original, Address **ret) {
 int address_configure(
                 Address *address,
                 Link *link,
-                sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback,
+                link_netlink_message_handler_t callback,
                 bool update) {
 
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
@@ -664,8 +663,8 @@ int address_configure(
         if (r < 0)
                 return r;
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0) {
                 address_release(address);
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-address.h b/src/network/networkd-address.h
index cd80741cb0..4714c07d4d 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-address.h
+++ b/src/network/networkd-address.h
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ int address_add(Link *link, int family, const union in_addr_union *in_addr, unsi
 int address_get(Link *link, int family, const union in_addr_union *in_addr, unsigned char prefixlen, Address **ret);
 int address_update(Address *address, unsigned char flags, unsigned char scope, const struct ifa_cacheinfo *cinfo);
 int address_drop(Address *address);
-int address_configure(Address *address, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
-int address_remove(Address *address, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
+int address_configure(Address *address, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
+int address_remove(Address *address, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
 bool address_equal(Address *a1, Address *a2);
 bool address_is_ready(const Address *a);
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-brvlan.c b/src/network/networkd-brvlan.c
index c7ca57d5e0..1d18e29b7c 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-brvlan.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-brvlan.c
@@ -135,8 +135,7 @@ static int append_vlan_info_data(Link *const link, sd_netlink_message *req, uint
         return cnt;
 }
 
-static int set_brvlan_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int set_brvlan_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -195,8 +194,8 @@ int br_vlan_configure(Link *link, uint16_t pvid, uint32_t *br_vid_bitmap, uint32
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not close IFLA_AF_SPEC container: %m");
 
         /* send message to the kernel */
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_brvlan_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_brvlan_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-dhcp4.c b/src/network/networkd-dhcp4.c
index 48c0d3e1e4..31dbea9420 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-dhcp4.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-dhcp4.c
@@ -14,9 +14,7 @@
 #include "string-util.h"
 #include "sysctl-util.h"
 
-static int dhcp4_route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m,
-                               void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp4_route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -300,9 +298,7 @@ static int dhcp_lease_lost(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int dhcp4_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m,
-                                 void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp4_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-dhcp6.c b/src/network/networkd-dhcp6.c
index aebc070b9e..4b5c4b8b4b 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-dhcp6.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-dhcp6.c
@@ -96,8 +96,7 @@ static int dhcp6_pd_prefix_assign(Link *link, struct in6_addr *prefix,
         return sd_radv_start(radv);
 }
 
-static int dhcp6_route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp6_route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -243,8 +242,7 @@ static int dhcp6_pd_prefix_distribute(Link *dhcp6_link, Iterator *i,
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int dhcp6_route_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp6_route_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -402,9 +400,7 @@ int dhcp6_request_prefix_delegation(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int dhcp6_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m,
-                                 void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp6_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-fdb.c b/src/network/networkd-fdb.c
index c7742a93fb..324f6a5a1a 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-fdb.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-fdb.c
@@ -87,8 +87,7 @@ int fdb_entry_new_static(
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int set_fdb_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int set_fdb_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -147,8 +146,8 @@ int fdb_entry_configure(Link *link, FdbEntry *fdb_entry) {
         }
 
         /* send message to the kernel to update its internal static MAC table. */
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_fdb_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_fdb_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-ipv4ll.c b/src/network/networkd-ipv4ll.c
index 926dec9a8a..3562e90535 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-ipv4ll.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-ipv4ll.c
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ static int ipv4ll_address_lost(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int ipv4ll_route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int ipv4ll_route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -72,8 +71,7 @@ static int ipv4ll_route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *u
         return 1;
 }
 
-static int ipv4ll_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int ipv4ll_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-ipv6-proxy-ndp.c b/src/network/networkd-ipv6-proxy-ndp.c
index 8d58406c34..f594b27f7f 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-ipv6-proxy-ndp.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-ipv6-proxy-ndp.c
@@ -135,8 +135,7 @@ int config_parse_ipv6_proxy_ndp_address(
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int set_ipv6_proxy_ndp_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int set_ipv6_proxy_ndp_address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -174,8 +173,8 @@ int ipv6_proxy_ndp_address_configure(Link *link, IPv6ProxyNDPAddress *ipv6_proxy
         if (r < 0)
                 return rtnl_log_create_error(r);
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_ipv6_proxy_ndp_address_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(rtnl, NULL, req, set_ipv6_proxy_ndp_address_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-link.c b/src/network/networkd-link.c
index f525ba34ff..76cf9731c3 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-link.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-link.c
@@ -590,14 +590,6 @@ static Link *link_free(Link *link) {
 
 DEFINE_TRIVIAL_REF_UNREF_FUNC(Link, link, link_free);
 
-void link_netlink_destroy_callback(void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
-
-        assert(userdata);
-
-        link_unref(link);
-}
-
 int link_get(Manager *m, int ifindex, Link **ret) {
         Link *link;
 
@@ -821,8 +813,7 @@ static int link_set_routing_policy_rule(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int route_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -892,8 +883,7 @@ static int link_enter_set_routes(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int address_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(rtnl);
@@ -1222,8 +1212,7 @@ static int link_set_proxy_arp(Link *link) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int link_set_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int link_set_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -1241,8 +1230,7 @@ static int link_set_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userd
 
 static int link_configure_after_setting_mtu(Link *link);
 
-static int set_mtu_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int set_mtu_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(m);
@@ -1303,8 +1291,8 @@ int link_set_mtu(Link *link, uint32_t mtu) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not append MTU: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_mtu_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_mtu_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1314,8 +1302,7 @@ int link_set_mtu(Link *link, uint32_t mtu) {
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int set_flags_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int set_flags_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(m);
@@ -1374,8 +1361,8 @@ static int link_set_flags(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not set link flags: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_flags_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_flags_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1450,8 +1437,8 @@ static int link_set_bridge(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not append IFLA_LINKINFO attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_set_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_set_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1503,8 +1490,8 @@ static int link_bond_set(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not append IFLA_INFO_DATA attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_flags_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, set_flags_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r,  "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1703,8 +1690,7 @@ bool link_has_carrier(Link *link) {
         return false;
 }
 
-static int link_up_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int link_up_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -1796,8 +1782,8 @@ int link_up(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not close IFLA_AF_SPEC container: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_up_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_up_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1822,8 +1808,8 @@ static int link_up_can(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not set link flags: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_up_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_up_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1912,8 +1898,8 @@ static int link_set_can(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Failed to close netlink container: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, link_set_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m, link_set_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -1932,8 +1918,7 @@ static int link_set_can(Link *link) {
         return r;
 }
 
-static int link_down_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int link_down_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -1970,8 +1955,8 @@ int link_down(Link *link) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not set link flags: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_down_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_down_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_link_error_errno(link, r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -2278,8 +2263,7 @@ static int link_joined(Link *link) {
         return link_enter_set_addresses(link);
 }
 
-static int netdev_join_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int netdev_join_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -3102,8 +3086,8 @@ static int link_initialized_and_synced(Link *link) {
         return 1;
 }
 
-static int link_initialized_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        (void) link_initialized_and_synced(userdata);
+static int link_initialized_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
+        (void) link_initialized_and_synced(link);
         return 1;
 }
 
@@ -3136,8 +3120,8 @@ int link_initialized(Link *link, sd_device *device) {
         if (r < 0)
                 return r;
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_initialized_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, link_initialized_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return r;
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-link.h b/src/network/networkd-link.h
index a1f4030971..3fdfa55b25 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-link.h
+++ b/src/network/networkd-link.h
@@ -126,12 +126,14 @@ typedef struct Link {
         Hashmap *bound_to_links;
 } Link;
 
+typedef int (*link_netlink_message_handler_t)(sd_netlink*, sd_netlink_message*, Link*);
+
 DUID *link_get_duid(Link *link);
 int get_product_uuid_handler(sd_bus_message *m, void *userdata, sd_bus_error *ret_error);
 
 Link *link_unref(Link *link);
 Link *link_ref(Link *link);
-void link_netlink_destroy_callback(void *userdata);
+DEFINE_TRIVIAL_DESTRUCTOR(link_netlink_destroy_callback, Link, link_unref);
 
 int link_get(Manager *m, int ifindex, Link **ret);
 int link_add(Manager *manager, sd_netlink_message *message, Link **ret);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-manager.c b/src/network/networkd-manager.c
index 3b1ae0b41f..055a2a189b 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-manager.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-manager.c
@@ -1237,8 +1237,7 @@ Link *manager_dhcp6_prefix_get(Manager *m, struct in6_addr *addr) {
         return hashmap_get(m->dhcp6_prefixes, addr);
 }
 
-static int dhcp6_route_add_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp6_route_add_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
@@ -1296,8 +1295,7 @@ int manager_dhcp6_prefix_add(Manager *m, struct in6_addr *addr, Link *link) {
         return hashmap_put(m->dhcp6_prefixes, addr, link);
 }
 
-static int dhcp6_route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int dhcp6_route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *nl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-ndisc.c b/src/network/networkd-ndisc.c
index b3b240e3fd..84625f7fa9 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-ndisc.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-ndisc.c
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@
 #define NDISC_RDNSS_MAX 64U
 #define NDISC_PREFIX_LFT_MIN 7200U
 
-static int ndisc_netlink_message_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int ndisc_netlink_message_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-route.c b/src/network/networkd-route.c
index 78a323954a..c3a7b85b9e 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-route.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-route.c
@@ -378,8 +378,7 @@ void route_update(Route *route,
         route->type = type;
 }
 
-static int route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(m);
@@ -397,7 +396,7 @@ static int route_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *u
 }
 
 int route_remove(Route *route, Link *link,
-                 sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+                 link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
 
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
         int r;
@@ -472,9 +471,9 @@ int route_remove(Route *route, Link *link,
                         return log_error_errno(r, "Could not append RTA_OIF attribute: %m");
         }
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
-                                  callback ?: route_remove_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req,
+                               callback ?: route_remove_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -501,7 +500,7 @@ int route_expire_handler(sd_event_source *s, uint64_t usec, void *userdata) {
 int route_configure(
                 Route *route,
                 Link *link,
-                sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+                link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
 
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *req = NULL;
         _cleanup_(sd_event_source_unrefp) sd_event_source *expire = NULL;
@@ -655,8 +654,8 @@ int route_configure(
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not append RTA_METRICS attribute: %m");
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, req, callback,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-route.h b/src/network/networkd-route.h
index fe000d61b8..4eddf5194f 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-route.h
+++ b/src/network/networkd-route.h
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ struct Route {
 int route_new_static(Network *network, const char *filename, unsigned section_line, Route **ret);
 int route_new(Route **ret);
 void route_free(Route *route);
-int route_configure(Route *route, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
-int route_remove(Route *route, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
+int route_configure(Route *route, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
+int route_remove(Route *route, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
 
 int route_get(Link *link, int family, const union in_addr_union *dst, unsigned char dst_prefixlen, unsigned char tos, uint32_t priority, uint32_t table, Route **ret);
 int route_add(Link *link, int family, const union in_addr_union *dst, unsigned char dst_prefixlen, unsigned char tos, uint32_t priority, uint32_t table, Route **ret);
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.c b/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.c
index f883dc0e06..eb6a5d69d7 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.c
@@ -341,8 +341,7 @@ int routing_policy_rule_add_foreign(Manager *m,
         return routing_policy_rule_add_internal(m, &m->rules_foreign, family, from, from_prefixlen, to, to_prefixlen, tos, fwmark, table, iif, oif, protocol, sport, dport, ret);
 }
 
-static int routing_policy_rule_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int routing_policy_rule_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(m);
@@ -361,7 +360,7 @@ static int routing_policy_rule_remove_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_messa
         return 1;
 }
 
-int routing_policy_rule_remove(RoutingPolicyRule *routing_policy_rule, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
+int routing_policy_rule_remove(RoutingPolicyRule *routing_policy_rule, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback) {
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *m = NULL;
         int r;
 
@@ -404,9 +403,9 @@ int routing_policy_rule_remove(RoutingPolicyRule *routing_policy_rule, Link *lin
                         return log_error_errno(r, "Could not set destination prefix length: %m");
         }
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m,
-                                  callback ?: routing_policy_rule_remove_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m,
+                               callback ?: routing_policy_rule_remove_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
@@ -462,8 +461,7 @@ static int routing_policy_rule_new_static(Network *network, const char *filename
         return 0;
 }
 
-static int routing_policy_rule_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, void *userdata) {
-        Link *link = userdata;
+static int routing_policy_rule_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m, Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(rtnl);
@@ -490,7 +488,7 @@ static int routing_policy_rule_handler(sd_netlink *rtnl, sd_netlink_message *m,
         return 1;
 }
 
-int routing_policy_rule_configure(RoutingPolicyRule *rule, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update) {
+int routing_policy_rule_configure(RoutingPolicyRule *rule, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update) {
         _cleanup_(sd_netlink_message_unrefp) sd_netlink_message *m = NULL;
         int r;
 
@@ -598,9 +596,9 @@ int routing_policy_rule_configure(RoutingPolicyRule *rule, Link *link, sd_netlin
 
         rule->link = link;
 
-        r = sd_netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m,
-                                  callback ?: routing_policy_rule_handler,
-                                  link_netlink_destroy_callback, link, 0, __func__);
+        r = netlink_call_async(link->manager->rtnl, NULL, m,
+                               callback ?: routing_policy_rule_handler,
+                               link_netlink_destroy_callback, link);
         if (r < 0)
                 return log_error_errno(r, "Could not send rtnetlink message: %m");
 
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.h b/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.h
index c31ed566ec..283cbaa1d0 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.h
+++ b/src/network/networkd-routing-policy-rule.h
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ void routing_policy_rule_free(RoutingPolicyRule *rule);
 
 DEFINE_TRIVIAL_CLEANUP_FUNC(RoutingPolicyRule*, routing_policy_rule_free);
 
-int routing_policy_rule_configure(RoutingPolicyRule *address, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
-int routing_policy_rule_remove(RoutingPolicyRule *routing_policy_rule, Link *link, sd_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
+int routing_policy_rule_configure(RoutingPolicyRule *address, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback, bool update);
+int routing_policy_rule_remove(RoutingPolicyRule *routing_policy_rule, Link *link, link_netlink_message_handler_t callback);
 
 int routing_policy_rule_add(Manager *m, int family, const union in_addr_union *from, uint8_t from_prefixlen, const union in_addr_union *to, uint8_t to_prefixlen,
                             uint8_t tos, uint32_t fwmark, uint32_t table, const char *iif, const char *oif, uint8_t protocol, const struct fib_rule_port_range *sport,