Manchester United have suffered a setback after seeing a transfer U-turn occur regarding their “main target”, with interest also coming from Juventus and the blue side of Manchester.
When managers move to a new club, many like to take at least one of their players with them because it eliminates the need for calls with the player and long, drawn-out scouting, as they already know the player.
Erik ten Hag was well known for this when he joined Manchester United, signing Antony and Lisandro Martínez from Ajax in his first summer in charge of the Red Devils.
Unlike most managers, Ten Hag continued this trend into his second summer in charge of United – signing Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, as well as Andre Onana from Inter Milan, all players he managed while in the Netherlands.
Since replacing the Dutchman, Rúben Amorim is yet to purchase a player he managed at Sporting CP, despite heavy links to Geovany Quenda when Amorim first moved to Old Trafford.
However, the Portuguese manager already had Manuel Ugarte as a midfielder when he moved to United, having sold the Uruguayan just two years prior. However, Ugarte has struggled for game-time under Amorim, with Casemiro often chosen ahead of him.
Sporting make Hjulmand u-turn
Morten Hjulmand was recognised as Ugarte’s replacement at Sporting, with the Danish midfielder well-known for his destructive play in the middle of the park.
Last week, he was named as United’s “main target” in midfield by Stretty News, but that a deal could cost the Red Devils upwards of £40 million if they wanted the services of the Danish midfielder.
However, Sporting have since seemingly made a U-turn on their desired fee for Hjulmand after Juventus made a bid between £25 and £35 million, which they swiftly rejected.
Amorim’s former club are now demanding that any club interested in the midfielder pay the full release clause, or a transfer won’t be possible, reports A Bola.
Hjulmand’s release clause is just under £70 million, meaning Jason Wilcox would have to complete a third transfer over £60 million, after Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, if he wants Hjulmand at Old Trafford next season.
Midfield sale needed before Hjulmand transfer
If Hjulmand were to join United, that would leave Ugarte as Amorim’s third-choice defensive midfielder, with Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer also likely to be struggling for game-time.
While he wasn’t always brilliant last season, Ugarte showed why he could be a key player in Amorim’s United team, but he dropped out of the side due to the form of Casemiro towards the end of the season.
A new midfielder is needed at Old Trafford, but not more than a new centre forward or a new goalkeeper, if Onana’s injury keeps him out for the beginning of the Premier League season.
Signing Hjulmand could also stunt the development of Collyer and Sekou Kone, who are both knocking on the first-team door, with no loan moves confirmed just yet.
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