Manchester United have identified Sporting Lisbon star Morten Hjulmand as another alternative in their ongoing search for a new midfielder, journalist Dean Jones has revealed.
The Old Trafford side are on the lookout for a signing in the middle of the park in 2026 and are believed to be admirers of the Denmark international, who knows Ruben Amorim well from their time together in Portugal.
Amorim signed Hjulmand from Serie A side Lecce in the summer of 2023 and fielded him 65 times in charge of Sporting, winning the league title in 2023/24.
Jones claims United view Hjulmand as an option alongside Premier League trio Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson, and as someone who could be easier to secure in 2026.
United targeted a move for Baleba during the summer transfer window but ended their pursuit after learning of Brighton’s significant demands, reportedly standing at £120m.
Man Utd Could Move for Morten Hjulmand
According to Jones, United are eager to ensure they are not overpaying in the market and could decide to target a player from overseas to bolster their midfield in 2026.
He claims both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are unlikely to be interested in selling Anderson and Wharton respectively next year, which could lead the Red Devils to entertain a move for Hjulmand.
The Danish international would reportedly cost around half the price of any of United’s admired midfielders in the Premier League and is highly regarded by Amorim.
Hjulmand was linked with a departure from Sporting during the summer transfer window, but the club refused to entertain any exit talks following Viktor Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal, as GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano reported.
Hjulmand was instrumental in Sporting’s back-to-back title-winning campaigns in 2024 and 2025, making 58 league appearances, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
The ‘absolute monster’ midfielder was made Sporting captain last summer, replacing Sebastian Coates, and kept the armband ahead of the 2025/26 season, where he has so far played every single minute of Sporting’s league campaign.
Hjulmand would be an upgrade on Man United veteran Casemiro, who turns 33 in February and is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.
Amorim has trusted the Brazilian and Bruno Fernandes’ partnership in the middle of the park this term, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte often coming off the bench.
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