Man Utd sent 15-word message in immediate transfer blow after Bryan Mbeumo deal

Manchester United face a fight to secure the signature of Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand. The Red Devils have just wrapped up a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, shelling out an initial £65million plus £6m in potential add-ons.

Mbeumo joins Ruben Amorim's squad alongside fellow newcomer Matheus Cunha, but United could still make plenty of moves before the transfer window shuts. The club have been linked with Sporting skipper Hjulmand, who Amorim has previously worked with during his time at the Portuguese club.

It has already been a busy summer for Sporting, having been locked in transfer discussions over star striker Viktor Gyokeres. However, one of Hjulmand's team-mates is not expecting the holding midfielder to also head for the exit this summer.

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Following Sporting's recent pre-season win over Sunderland, defender Ivan Fresneda was quizzed about the possibility of Hjulmand leaving. "Hjulmand is our captain and he's very happy here with us, I have no doubt," Fresneda bluntly told O Jogo.

According to Teamtalk, United have earmarked Hjulmand as a potential solution to strengthen their midfield, with Amorim keen on a reunion with the Denmark international. The 26-year-old joined Sporting after current United midfielder Manuel Ugarte joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

He featured in 47 matches across all competitions as Sporting clinched both the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal last term.

The report indicates that Hjulmand, who has also caught the eye of Juventus, could set United back as much as £52m. Portuguese publication A Bola claims the midfielder also possesses a release clause worth approximately £69m (€80m).

Following Hjulmand's debut campaign at Sporting, Amorim appointed him as the club's new skipper. Yet the Dane was open about his emotions after the manager agreed to join United in November 2024.

"I told him in front of the other players that we were disappointed with his departure," Hjulmand told A Bola. "We were counting on him to help us all fight for the second title.

"He himself said the same thing at the start of the season. But afterwards, I also told Ruben that we understood his decision."

He added: "Many players wanted to stay at Sporting with Ruben Amorim because he is a great coach."

The admiration is mutual as Amorim previously branded Hjulmand as the most "complete" midfielder he had coached at Sporting. When comparing Hjulmand to his Sporting predecessors Manuel Ugarte and Joao Palhinha, the United manager was effusive in his praise.

"It's a normal evolution and then there's also the merit of scouting," Amorim said. "I love Palhinha and Ugarte, but I would say that Hjulmand is the most complete player in his position."

The defensive midfielder made 65 appearances under Amorim, clinching the Primeira Liga title together in 2024. Hjulmand still has three years left on his Sporting contract.

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