Jim Ratcliffe told to sign his own Casemiro at Man Utd who stunned England at Euro 2024

Manchester United have been urged to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand by Paul Parker as they hunt for a new midfielder this summer. The Red Devils are eyeing a new partner for Kobbie Mainoo, and Hjulmand has wowed interested parties with his performances for Sporting and Denmark.

A central midfielder joins a new centre-back and striker among INEOS’ top priorities in their first transfer window in charge of football operations at Old Trafford.

Casemiro is expected to depart before next season amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia, leaving a void to fill in Erik ten Hag’s engine room.

And Parker believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe can recruit his own Casemiro by sanctioning a pursuit of Hjulmand once he concludes his involvement at Euro 2024.

“I think he has been incredible. I haven’t seen all his games at Sporting, but I’ve seen a few, and he has just completely dominated,” the former United man told SpilXperten.

“He became captain in Serie A at the age of 22, so that speaks of a kid with huge leadership qualities. Those are precisely the leadership qualities that Manchester United could use.

“When I look at him, I see in many ways a younger version of Casemiro, and that’s something Manchester United could really use.

“He is good with the ball, strong in duels, and he would take a bullet for his teammates. He’s a bit crazy, which is cool.”

Hjulmand reportedly has a £69million release clause in his Sporting contract after joining for just £18m from Lecce last summer.

The 25-year-old made 49 appearances throughout the 2023/24 season and has been a central figure in Denmark’s Euro 2024 campaign thus far.

He stunned England with a sensational long-range strike in Frankfurt, rescuing a 1-1 draw as part of an impressive performance that outshone that of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

Parker is convinced the Sporting star would combine well with his fellow compatriots, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund, at United.

He added: “With a player like Hjulmand, who can dominate the midfield, he can get that freedom.

“I really hope they sign him, and then Manchester United can have a Danish axis, which consists of players who always give 100 per cent.

“Hjulmand and Hojlund are warriors, and Eriksen can slot in between them. It would be really good, so I really hope for that.”

United may not accelerate their efforts to sign a central midfielder until Casemiro secures a move away. However, initial talks have reportedly taken place over Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.