(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Sat 2 August 2025 20:43, UK

Ruben Amorim has been attempting to sign one of his former Sporting CP players for Man United this summer.

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The Red Devils have made some strong moves so far in the transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves, before bringing in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

Addressing the front line was understandably the priority, given that the 20-time champions of England were outscored by every team in the Premier League, bar the relegated teams and Everton.

Casemiro performed poorly for large parts of last season.

Casemiro found his feet near the back end of the season, but Manuel Ugarte struggled immensely and Christian Eriksen has now departed the club.

With a need for more reinforcements in the centre of the park, Amorim has turned to his former side.

Speaking on the Transfers Podcast, Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles revealed that United’s boss was keen on bringing his former player, Morten Hjulmand to Old Trafford.

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In two years at Sporting, the Danish midfielder has established himself as one of the league’s best, and the 26-year-old earned rave reviews from the Red Devils’ manager during his time in Portugal.

Castles said (1 August, 36.50mins): “Ruben Amorim has been attempting to bring his former Sporting player, Morten Hjulmand, to Manchester United to strengthen up his midfield.

“He’s Sporting’s captain and has been for the last season, he’s a fast box-to-box midfielder who’s had two excellent campaigns in Lisbon, winning the Portuguese title twice.

Credit: Sporting CP via YouTube

“Amorim rates him so highly he at one point, when he was coaching Sporting, praised Hjulmand as being a more complete player than Joao Palhinha, who’d been central to Amorim’s first title-winning side.”

“I think, similar to Gyokeres, this is a very difficult deal for Manchester United to do.

“Not because the player wants to go elsewhere, as was the case with Gyokeres.

“My understanding with the player is that he would like to move to the Premier League, and his representatives are pushing to allow him to go at what they consider to be a reasonable price of about €50m.

“Sporting don’t have any financial necessity to sell, because of the money they took from Gyokeres and also the big deal they did to sell Geovany Quenda to Chelsea earlier in the year.

“They have simply referred suitors to the release clause in Hjulmand’s contract of €80m.”

Football Insider Verdict

One very obvious issue that presents itself when watching United is the distinct lack of energy in the midfield.

Casemiro is a tactically astute player, but the Brazilian is no longer capable of covering vast distances.

Ugarte, meanwhile, thrives as an anchoring presence in midfield, but when used alongside a more attack-minded player like Bruno Fernandes, he can often look lost.

Photo Credit: Imago

Hjulmand, on the other hand, not only has the pace and energy to thrive in the Premier League, but also a keen understanding of how Amorim wants his midfielders to operate.

Adding the Denmark international will not be a cheap endeavour, as Castles revealed, but his ability to smoothly transition into United’s side may be exactly what is needed.

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