Manchester United target Morten Hjulmand amid uncertainty over Kobbie Mainoo’s future
Kobbie Mainoo’s position at Manchester United looks shaky at the moment. Ruben Amorim has not given him a single minute in the Premier League this season. He remained on the bench for both league matches, with his only full appearance coming in a 2-0 EFL Cup loss to Grimsby Town.
Mainoo has made it clear that he wants the opportunity to play regularly, especially with the 2026 World Cup in mind. He requested a loan move, but United rejected it. Amorim recently said that Mainoo will have to fight for a midfield spot with Bruno Fernandes. Meanwhile, talks for a new contract are also stalled as there is a big difference between his current salary and the representatives’ demand.
United’s Interest in Hjulmand
Now, amid this situation, Manchester United have set their sights on Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand. Reports from The Athletic say that United are considering him as a potential option, especially since Brighton’s asking price for Carlos Baleba was exceptionally high. As soon as the club withdrew from the race for Baleba, Hjulmand and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton were on the list. However, it does not seem easy to get Hjulmand out of Sporting because the club has already sold Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, and now they are in no mood to let go of more big players.
The Danish midfielder knows Amorim well. While at Sporting, he signed the Danish midfielder from Lecce and used him consistently for two seasons. During that time, the now 26-year-old made a significant contribution to winning the league title, took over the captaincy, and secured his place with his strong performances. He has a contract until 2028 and has played in all four of Sporting’s opening matches. In this situation, if United want to sign him, they will either have to pay a substantial fee or wait until January
Mainoo vs Hjulmand
The question now is whether pursuing Hjulmand instead of giving Mainoo an opportunity is the right approach. Mainoo is young, has evident skills and is the club’s future, but his style doesn’t completely match Amorim’s demands. He is keen to get forward, but he can sometimes be vulnerable defensively. Amorim currently wants a player who can anchor the midfield from the back. Hjulmand fits in here. He can stand as a defensive screen, break up plays and get the ball back quickly. His leadership and reading of the game make him even more important.
Amorim can use the Sporting CP captain as the lone holding midfielder in a 4-3-3 or as part of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1. This will allow Bruno Fernandes and the other midfielders to go into attack freely. This can be helpful for the team’s balance immediately, but losing Mainoo can be costly in the long term. In our opinion, the club should send Mainoo on loan to gain experience if they try to bring in Hjulmand. Both decisions together will make the team better.
However, the truth is that it is almost impossible to get Hjulmand out of Sporting in the next four days. Maybe the picture could change in January, but as things stand, a deal looks difficult.