Man Utd ‘fast-track £67m transfer plan’ for January as Kobbie Mainoo ‘written off’

Manchester United could fast-track a planned pursuit of Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand to the January transfer window, according to reports. Ruben Amorim is believed to be targeting a reunion with his former midfield general but faces daunting competition from Manchester City.

Hjulmand made 65 appearances under the Portuguese head coach at Sporting, registering 11 goal contributions from the engine room.

The 25-year-old’s sustained form for the Primeira Liga champions and his country, Denmark, especially at Euro 2024, has sparked relentless links to a Premier League switch.

According to GIVEMESPORT, United could attempt to seal a deal for Hjulmand in January as City’s desire for midfield reinforcements this winter grows.

Pep Guardiola is enduring the worst slump of his dominant reign at the Etihad Stadium, losing five consecutive matches before surrendering a three-goal second-half lead to draw 3-3 Feyenoord on Tuesday.

City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and face a seldom fruitful trip to Anfield on Sunday, where that gap is expected to extend to 11.

It’s claimed that City are considering Hjulmand as a January transfer target as Guardiola scrambles to fill the void left by Ballon d’Or holder Rodri’s ACL injury.

The Citizens’ interest reportedly could kick United into action and advance the club’s plans to recruit the Dane next summer.

Hjulmand has a release clause worth £67million, which will likely have to be triggered to lure him away from the Jose Alvalade Stadium midway through the campaign.

His suitors can enter talks over personal terms if they match that valuation, though, and he could be interested in working with Amorim again at Old Trafford.

The report adds that United initially planned to pursue Hjulmand next summer, having been monitoring him for over a year.

United and City scouts were said to be in attendance at Sporting’s 5-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this week, potentially eyeing Hjulmand just as much as poster boy Viktor Gyokeres.

There is a sense that Amorim’s presence in Manchester can convince the Sporting star to join him and his Danish compatriots, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.

United’s reported interest in Hjulmand emerges after Danny Murphy predicted that Amorim would soon chase a new midfield signing to partner former Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to resume his crucial role once he returns to full fitness, but Murphy effectively wrote off the 19-year-old from the new United boss’ future plans.

It’s claimed that there are other options on the 39-year-old’s transfer wishlist than Hjulmand. United are also reportedly weighing up a potential swoop for Sunderland’s teenage talent Chris Rigg in January.

Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan has also been linked with a heavyweight move to Old Trafford before and after impressing against the Red Devils in pre-season.