Man Utd lining up £50m transfer for Ruben Amorim’s former Sporting star Morten Hjulmand if they can’t seal Baleba deal

MANCHESTER UNITED will turn their attention to Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand if they miss out on Carlos Baleba. 

Hjulmand, 26, who was one of Ruben Amorim’s favourites during his time in Lisbon, would cost less than half the price of Brighton star Baleba.

United are preparing a £50million move for Hjulmand, who has starred as Sporting’s No6 since signing for £15million from Lecce in 2023.

Though his release clause is set at £68m, the Portuguese giants may be willing to sell the Dane for around £10m less if the necessary add-ons were met.

Having recruited Hjulmand for Sporting and later appointed him skipper, Amorim is a strong admirer of his leadership qualities and “monster mentality”. 

Baleba, 21, remains United’s first choice but Amex chiefs have slapped a £120million price tag on the Cameroonian’s head.

Amorim sees Hjulmand, who is far more familiar with the manager’s rigid style of play, as the perfect cheaper option.

The Denmark international starred in Amorim’s 4-3-2-1 system, playing under him 65 times during their spell together at Sporting – winning two Primeira Liga titles and a Taca de Portugal.

Hjulmand, who has provided ten goal contributions in 59 games for Sporting, already bagged his first goal of the season when he sealed a 2-0 league opening win over Casa Pia on Friday.

The money saved by signing Hjulmand could also help fund United’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

While the Red Devils are continuing to pursue Baleba, they will likely be priced out with Manchester City set to enter the race as Pep Guardiola eyes a long-term replacement for Ballon d’Or ace Rodri. 

United have been splashing the cash this summer, but Baleba might be a bridge too far after already spending over £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Baleba’s compatriot Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.

Baleba was one of the Premier League’s top ranked midfielders last season for tackles, blocks, interceptions and recoveries, while his progressive carries and forward passing numbers were also impressive.

The Seagulls don’t want to sell Baleba, with boss Fabian Hurzeler seeing him as a key player this season after starting 31 out of 36 Prem games last term, scoring three goals.

United are on the hunt for a dynamic midfielder to go in Amorim’s pivot after unconvincing displays by Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in pre-season, while Kobbie Mainoo is still struggling to find a role.

Whether it’s Hjulmand or Baleba, any new midfielder would likely start next to captain Bruno Fernandes, who looks set for a deeper role after the arrivals of two No.10s in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Baleba, who is another example of Brighton’s incredible scouting system, signed as a replacement for British record transfer Moises Caicedo – who, in turn, took the place of Yves Bissouma after a big money move to Tottenham.

This is a tried-and-tested formula as Brighton have lost key players in the past, such as Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, only for others to step up and draw huge offers themselves.