Manchester United eye Hjulmand as Casemiro’s successor
Manchester United are leading the race to sign Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand this summer, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola. The report marks a shift in the transfer situation, as Manchester City were previously seen as the favourites for the Danish midfielder.
City have now shifted their focus toward Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson, leaving the door open for United to act. Former manager Ruben Amorim, who coached Hjulmand at Sporting before moving to Old Trafford, has often praised the 26-year-old, and United see him as the right player to replace Casemiro.
His release clause stands at €80 million, but A Bola claims a verbal agreement between Hjulmand and Sporting could drop that price to between €40 million and €50 million.
That lower price tag makes the move much more attractive for Manchester United, particularly as they deal with high asking prices for Premier League targets, with Forest reportedly wanting up to £120 million for Anderson.
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Does Hjulmand actually fix United’s midfield issues?
I do feel yes. Hjulmand offers solid defensive discipline, great positioning, and leadership; he captains both Sporting and the Denmark national team. These traits fill a clear hole in the squad that appeared as Casemiro’s form dropped off. Analyst Zach Lowy has described him as a “monster” in defence, and that reputation is backed up by his performances.
He reads the play well, makes clean interceptions, and stays calm on the ball. However, his limitations are worth noting as well. Hjulmand isn’t a high-energy ball-carrier, and while his passing is reliable, he doesn’t often punch holes in the opposition defence with long balls.
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Carrick’s setup needs midfielders who can press hard and move the ball fast, and Hjulmand is more of a steady anchor than an explosive runner. At €40–50 million, the price is about fair value rather than a marketing stunt. Manchester United would be getting a proven defensive midfielder instead of taking a massive risk. If the move goes through, it should add strength to United’s midfield, though the club still need a more mobile partner to play next to him.
