Manchester United are expected to target a new midfielder this summer, and Ruben Amorim could look towards his former club, Sporting.
Manchester United’s full focus is on attacking additions as the new Premier League season draws ever closer.
Ruben Amorim needs options in the final third, and Matheus Cunha remains United’s only attacking addition this summer.
United’s chase of Bryan Mbeumo is dragging on, and improving other positions may be delayed until the Brentford forward’s future is settled.
United need to explore signing a goalkeeper and a central defender, as well as a new centre-forward to lead Amorim’s attack.
Amorim surely wants another midfielder as well, and he may look to raid former club Sporting for a new signing.
Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand in action against Estrela da Amadora
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Manchester United target Morten Hjulmand battling Sporting release clause
United splashed the cash on Manuel Ugarte last summer, but the Uruguayan endured a mixed debut season.
Christian Eriksen has now left United, and Amorim may look to invest in a new midfielder later in the window.
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Reports suggest Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand is on United’s radar, having worked with Amorim in Lisbon.
The Danish midfielder is a real workhorse in the engine room, proving himself to be a leader and a defensive machine for both Lecce and now Sporting.
Corriere dello Sport now highlight that Juventus want to sign Hjulmand, and they claim that there is a struggle over his release clause.
It’s stated that Hjulmand believes his €80million (£69.5million) release clause was actually tied to the future of Amorim.
Hjulmand allegedly believes that the huge fee would only apply if Amorim was still at the club, but his exit would trigger a lower price tag.
Sporting are contesting those claims and are currently pointing Juve towards the £69.5million release clause.
United certainly won’t be paying that kind of money for Hjulmand or any other midfielder this summer, but will certainly pay close attention to the Dane’s situation in the hope of a lower asking price.
These release clause claims have not been backed up in the Portuguese media, but Juve’s interest in Hjulmand and his history at Lecce mean the Italian media may be onto something.
Morten Hjulmand stance on Ruben Amorim
Hjulmand may have an Arsenal tattoo, but he would surely jump at the chance to join United if Amorim came calling.
Speaking in 2024, Hjulmand heaped praise on Amorim ahead of his move to United.
Hjulmand noted that Amorim was a key factor in his decision to join Sporting in the first place, and praised him for his work both on and off the pitch.
The Dane backed United for a bright future under Amorim, a future he could now be a part of if a summer move materialises.
“Of course, Ruben was one of the reasons why I came to Sporting,” said Hjulmand. “When you work with Ruben you see a clear picture. That was important when I joined Sporting – first to understand how he plays.
“The way that he manages the team inside the pitch and outside the pitch as well is not like anything I have seen in my short career. I think Manchester [United] are in good hands with Ruben,” he added.
Sporting are already poised to lose Viktor Gyokeres this summer, so they may resist any moves for Hjulmand in an attempt to keep their title-winning side together.
Hjulmand and Amorim clearly have a strong mutual respect, though, and United will be lurking in the mix for his signature either this summer or further down the line.