In the context of the 2025 summer transfer window entering the final stages, Man United is still struggling to find a quality midfielder. With Carlos Baleba being overpriced for the middle, Adam Wharton is in a miserable position as Crystal Palace are losing many key players and want to keep him.
At this time, Man United's target list emerged as Morten Hjulmand. The Danish midfielder is a diligent, balanced and fighting player, something Man United have lacked for many years.
According to The Athletic, Morten Hjulmand is a target highly appreciated by the leadership of the Old Trafford team. Man United will carefully consider whether to spend more money or not in the final days of the transfer window.
Despite spending more than £200 million to upgrade the attack with Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo, Man United's midfield still leaves many worries. Casemiro is declining in both physical strength and form and receives a very high salary, causing liquidation to become a deadlock. Manuel Ugarte also received high expectations but played inconsistently. Meanwhile, others like Kobbie Mainoo or Bruno Fernandes are not a "steel shield" in midfield.
It is this imbalance that has caused Man United to lose the game many times in big matches. In the past season, they were often exploited by their opponents in the midfield when Bruno Fernandes had to drop too deep, leaving behind the attack with no one to cover. That is the reason why the team's leadership wants to find a new "number 6", who can both intercept and rotate the ball intelligently.
At Sporting, Morten Hjulmand is considered the owner of the midfield. Ruben Amorim understands this better than anyone during the Portuguese coaching period of Sporting. Hjulmand has an ideal physique (1.85m tall), strong tackle ability but more importantly, tactical thinking and calmness in handling. The 26-year-old midfielder is not only good at breaking the opponent's playing style but can also start an attack from home thanks to his ability to pass the ball accurately.
Hjulmand's playing style is considered a combination of the " Nordic warrior" style of firepower and the tactical intelligence of modern European football. At Sporting, he was an important factor in helping the team win the Primeira Liga championship in 2 consecutive seasons 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Notably, the 2023-2024 campaign is the year the Danish midfielder under Ruben Amorim played at his best when he won the championship with a gap of 10 points over the second-placed team.
Although Hjulmand is a potential target, it is not easy for Man United to own. Sporting Lisbon was already "famous" at the negotiating table, often only releasing key players at very high prices (Bruno Fernandes is an example). Hjulmand currently has a breach clause of up to 70 million Euros, a not-so-small figure in the context of the "Red Devils" spending big on the attack.
In addition, many teams in Serie A and Bundesliga are also watching Hjulmand. To convince the Danish player, Man United need not only money, but also a clear sports project, committed to playing an important role in the squad.
Morten Hjulmand may not be the name that immediately excited the "Red Devils" fans, but he is a necessary piece if Man United want to rebuild sustainably. In the context of unstable midfield, old Casemiro nua and other options not being of high class, pursuing Hjulmand is strategic.
If the deal is successful, Ruben Amorim will have a reliable scanning machine in hand, creating a solid foundation for Man United's new attack to shine. This is a less glamorous but valuable contract, something Man United are in dire need of after many years of lack of direction.
