Manchester United want Morten Hjulmand as an alternative to Carlos Baleba
We never thought the 2024/25 season would be so taxing for Manchester United fans like us. Sitting in front of the TV every week and waking up disappointed had become a habit. The pain of finishing 15th in the Premier League, losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, and being eliminated from European competition next season are still fresh. There was a ray of hope when Ruben Amorim came in last season, but Rasmus Hojlund’s poor form and the team’s lack of rhythm quickly extinguished that light.
The summer transfer window has, however, changed the mood. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and young Diego Leon brought smiles to fans’ faces. The signing of Benjamin Sesko brought a new wind to Old Trafford. Sesko could fill our biggest void as a striker. Even after so many changes, the question remains—will all this be enough to make a difference next season?
The midfield question and Carlos Baleba buzz
The biggest lesson from last season was clear—our midfield is weak. Amorim’s fast and aggressive tactics require control over the midfield. The older players like Casemiro have not been able to deliver consistent performances match after match. So, strengthening the midfield is a top priority this summer.
Manchester United want Morten Hjulmand as an alternative to Carlos Baleba.
Manchester United have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand as a possible cheap alternative to Carlos Baleba.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba’s name has been doing the rounds repeatedly. Premier League experience and youthful energy made him a perfect fit for our club, and Amorim was also a fan of the Cameroon player. United were also leading the race for his signature; however, the £120 million price tag sends chills down the spine, and hence, the move might not be feasible. We have spent heavily on Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko, so signing Baleba would be a bold move.
Morten Hjulmand: Affordable and reliable option
The report from the Sun offers a different alternative. Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand offers a different proposition for the club. At £50 million, the 26-year-old defensive midfielder is much cheaper than Balega, and more importantly, he shares a long-standing relationship with Amorim. They worked together at Sporting, and Hjulmand understands their style and tactics well. The Dane’s passing and reading of the game can bring stability to the midfield. Yes, he’s not as young as Balega, but he can make an immediate impact.
As fans, we think Hjulmand would be the right call for now. He would come straight into the team and take care of our biggest weakness. But deep down, we also feel that in the long run, only an investment like Baleba can get us back to the top. Budgets are limited, time is short, and there’s a fear that we’ll make half-hearted decisions again. If United are to really bounce back, this time the moves need to be bold and deliberate. We don’t think United will be able to sign a midfielder unless they sell Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho.