“Casemiro and Amrabat are not in our plans. We want players who are consistent and youngstars who are ready to win trophies. He is the best player in Portuguese League last season and he worth the price”- ‘Tenacious’ star becomes new No 1 Man Utd target as Ratcliffe plans to splash £30m on the amazing youngster.
Manchester United’s quest for midfield reinforcement has taken a new turn under the leadership of both the club and INEOS chief, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Shifting their gaze towards fortifying the midfield, the spotlight now falls on Morten Hjulmand, a versatile 24-year-old defensive midfielder with the prowess to operate as a No. 8 or No. 10. Hjulmand’s football journey commenced within the confines of the Copenhagen academy before traversing through Admira Wacker in Austria and Lecce in Italy.
The ascent of Hjulmand to prominence was marked by his pivotal role and captaincy at Lecce. His trajectory surged further when he made the bold move to Sporting Lisbon last summer for a reported fee of €19.5 million. In his inaugural season in Portugal, Hjulmand left an indelible mark, amassing 49 appearances and contributing significantly to Ruben Amorim’s triumphant league conquest, while also propelling Sporting to the final of the Portuguese Cup.
While basking in the glow of his achievements at Sporting, speculations swirl regarding Hjulmand’s prospective destination. Initially linked with Liverpool, the prospect of donning the iconic red jersey of Manchester United now looms large. Admiration from United’s recruitment hierarchy, coupled with reports from GiveMeSport, has propelled Hjulmand to the zenith of Ratcliffe’s transfer agenda.
Viewed as a pivotal acquisition, Ratcliffe contemplates initiating negotiations with Sporting to actualize the coveted transfer. Despite being tethered to a long-term contract spanning four more years, Sporting could be enticed by a lucrative offer in the ballpark of £69 million, thereby reaping substantial returns on their initial investment.
A comparison between Hjulmand and Joao Neves from Benfica underscores the rationale behind Ratcliffe’s preference. While Neves emanates promise at a tender age of 19, his staggering £102 million release clause poses inherent risks. In contrast, Hjulmand’s seasoned demeanor, coupled with a comparatively modest price tag, renders him a more prudent choice to address Manchester United’s immediate exigencies.
The prevailing uncertainties surrounding United’s incumbent defensive midfielder, Casemiro, further accentuate the urgency of securing Hjulmand’s services. Amidst swirling speculations about Casemiro’s future, including a plausible reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, the acquisition of a reliable replacement like Hjulmand assumes paramount significance for Manchester United’s midfield stability.
