Manchester United have made their decision on a priority midfield target for Ruben Amorim ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
With a deal for Bryan Mbeumo nearing completion, Manchester United are set to shift their focus towards securing a new centre-forward.
Ruben Amorim will be encouraged by the attacking reinforcements of Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo — two players expected to bring a fresh dynamic and significantly improve United’s frontline.
However, the club is still targeting the addition of a natural number nine, as well as a central midfielder, with both roles seen as crucial to Amorim’s plans as he looks to implement his tactical vision at Old Trafford.
United will need to sell players before they sign any more, but that shouldn’t stop them from attempting to move forward and identifying their preferred targets for once that cash injection comes in.
United identify priority midfield target
There have been several midfield players linked with a move to Old Trafford. Whoever comes in must be able to compliment Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park.
According to Stretty News, the Reds have now identified Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand as their priority target in the engine room.
Both Ederson and Richard Rios are also being considered but Amorim’s ex-player is the main option, and the Portuguese boss’ presence at United gives them a huge advantage over other clubs.
It was explained that Hjulmand has a £69 million release clause at Sporting, but that the Lisbon-based club could end up accepting a deal around £43 million instead.
Of course, there has been a lot of drama in relation to Viktor Gyokeres’ exit from the Portuguese club, but United do have a decent working relationship with them and Sporting will likely respect how Amorim refused to try and sign any of their players in January.
Hjulmand wants to work with Amorim again
The aforementioned report added that Hjulmand would be keen to work with Amorim once again, with the Danish international being extremely complimentary about the head coach beforehand.
Hjulmand believes that Amorim’s management on and off the pitch is unique and that he was a key reason behind his move to Sporting in 2023.
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“Ruben was one of the reasons why I came to Sporting. When you are coached by him, you get a clear idea of the way he sees football and how he sees us being part of the team.
“It’s a very important image for the player, to know what his role is, what he can contribute to the team.
“The way he sees the players, how he manages the team on and off the field… It’s something I’ve never seen in my career.”
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