Manchester United are ready to make their move to sign Sporting Lisbon star Morten Hjulmand, though a concerned Ruben Amorim insists he will not sell for a penny less than his exit clause and with a double £142m transfer raid seemingly edging closer.
The Red Devils had a wild ride in 2023–2024 after finishing last in the Champions League and sending an awful team packing. They then suffered an embarrassing 14 losses along the way and finished in a record-low eighth place in the Premier League. Nevertheless, Manchester United’s triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup final helped to rescue some of the season’s damage, as they won their second trophy under Erik ten Hag and advanced to the Europa League.
However, the Premier League and Europe are the two key platforms by which every United manager is evaluated, and Ten Hag is still fighting to stay in his position after last season’s crushing defeats on both fronts.
In light of Fabrizio Romano’s decision to withdraw as a serious contender, a report on Sunday stated that United had reduced the field of candidates to only two. It is still possible, though, for Ten Hag to stay in the position and attempt to oversee an improvement in what would be his third season as manager.
Either way, a decision on that front will need to be reached soon, with the transfer market set to officially open for business later this week.
Man Utd close in on swoop for Morten Hjulmand
Regarding impending additions, Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bolster his team’s spine by adding a central defender, a midfielder, and a new No 9 to his shopping list after speaking with newly appointed sporting director Dan Ashworth.
After Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri were both given the all-clear to depart this summer, United will also attempt to acquire a new right-sided attacker.
Following a thorough examination of several choices, United appears to have decided to recruit Sporting star Hjulmand as their next midfield player. He is most likely to stick with teenage phenom Kobbie Mainoo as a permanent partner.
United wants a new tigerish, deep-lying midfielder who can assist shield the backline and rapidly work the ball forwards to the creative players in front of him. Casemiro and possibly Christian Eriksen are expected to depart.
According to reports originating from Portugal, United has expressed their intention to sign the talented Danish midfield player this summer, having previously negotiated a deal with Sporting CP for the seven-time capped player.
Joao Neves of Benfica, who has a more unattainable €120 million release clause in his contract, is thought to be a worse choice than Hjulmand.
Consequently, there are rumours that an anxious Sporting manager Amorim is making every effort to thwart the sale, keeping the Dane at Estadio Jose Alvalade and telling him he’s “essential for the next season.”
Hjulmand appears eager to make the move, though, and an irate but ultimately powerless Amorin has maintained that the player may only depart if his contract’s departure clause—which is worth €80 million (£67.7 million)—is fulfilled.
However, the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha anticipates that the move will go because United is “in the front line” to close a deal.
Man Utd to sign Everton star Branthwaite first
Hjulmand, though, is not likely to be United’s first summer acquisition; Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to get the honour.
To Jamie Carragher’s dismay, the player was controversially left out of England’s Euro 2024 roster.
But his omission is undoubtedly beneficial to United since it frees them from the distractions of a significant international football event to finalise his signing.
It is anticipated that a deal would be completed around the £75 million mark, which Everton values at approximately the same level.
It is unclear, though, how much of that will be paid upfront and how much will be covered by bonuses and add-ons. To balance the books and make sure they don’t violate FFP standards, the Toffees must make a sizable sell before June 30.
This will help United’s pursuit of the left-sided center-half. After agreeing to a deal for about £30 million with Chelsea to recruit striker Armando Broja, the Merseysiders have already disclosed how they want to use a portion of that sum.
To make room for Branthwaite, United have already confirmed the release of £340,000 a week Raphael Varane at the end of his contract, though veteran star Jonny Evans is in talks to extend his arrangement by another 12 months.
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