Credit: Imago/Sporting CP

Chris Smith

Tue 12 August 2025 22:52, UK

After revamping their attack, Manchester United are now turning their attention to improving the midfield.

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The Red Devils endured a miserable 2024/25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.

In a bid to put that right, United have spent over £200million on forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Now, it’s time to give Rubem Amorim the tools he needs in other areas of the pitch.

Amorim has decisions to make in midfield (Credit: Imago)

Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are the two midfielders most heavily linked with United right now.

The former won two Primeira Liga titles under Amorim‘s management during their time together in Lisbon and is intimately familiar with the Portuguese coach’s style of play.

What’s more, the Denmark international might cost less than half the fee it could take to sign Baleba, with Brighton understood to want in excess of £100m for the Cameroon international.

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But price aside, who would be the best fit for United?

Football Insider verdict

Carlos Baleba vs Morten Hjulmand in 2024/25 league play (Credit: Sofascore)

Before even delving into the data, Baleba feels like the smarter move given he is five years younger than Hjulmand — if they can negotiate that gargantuan fee down to a more reasonable level.

Both players excel as box-to-box midfielders, with Baleba naturally hovering to the left, while Hjulmand pops up on the right.

It was the former who performed better offensively during league play last season, with three goals compared to Hjulmand’s two and three big chances created to two — though the Dane still managed one extra assist.

Baleba also outstripped Hjulmand defensively with 2.3 tackles per 90, 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 clearances and 0.5 shots blocked, compared to 1.9, 1.0, 1.1 and 0.1, respectively, from the Sporting man — whose saving grace here was being dribbled past 0.7 times per 90 compared to 0.9 for Baleba.

Already proven in the Premier League, Baleba feels like a more dynamic option than Hjulmand, and a much better investment for Manchester United if they can secure a reasonable fee.

But if that’s not possible, Hjulmand represents a safe bet given his history with Amorim.

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