Manchester United have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand as an alternative option to Carlos Baleba.
The Red Devils are currently prioritising Brighton's Baleba in their quest to sign a new central midfielder in the final few weeks of the transfer window.
However, they are yet to reach an agreement with the Segulls, who are believed to be demanding in excess of £100m for a player who is under contract until at least 2029.
As a result, Man United appear to be scouring the market for alternative options in case they are unsuccessful in their pursuit of the Brighton star.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on July 19, 2025
Man United considering Hjulmand as Baleba alternative
According to The Sun, the Red Devils will turn their focus to Sporting's Hjulmand if they fail to land Baleba this summer.
The report claims that Man United are willing to table a £50m bid to prise the Sporting captain away from the Portuguese giants.
Hjulmand is under contract until the summer of 2028, with his deal said to include a £68m release clause.
Sporting could be open to selling the 26-year-old for around £10m less than that figure if a proposed transfer contains certain add-ons.
Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand pictured on November 4, 2024
Who is Morten Hjulmand?
Hjulmund has made 98 appearances in all competitions since he joined Sporting from Italian side Lecce in a £15m deal in 2023.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim will be fully aware of Hjulmand's strengths and weaknesses from his time as Sporting head coach.
Amorim appointed the Denmark international as his captain after being impressed by the player's 'monster mentality'.
After previously working under Amorim, Hjulmand would arrive with the prior knowledge of how to play in the manager's favoured 3-4-2-1 system.
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