Man United have been linked to signing Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer.
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Manchester United have addressed their glaring needs in attack by signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but Ruben Amorim also wants to sure up his side to ensure they concede less goals next season.
One of the ways Amorim intends to do this is by adding a holding midfielder who can help protect the back three, something that is vitally important when playing three at the back, due to the lack of defensive full-backs.
United have been linked with Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand alongside Man City, with reports suggesting that the 26-year-old could re-unite with Amorim at Old Trafford; he is expected to command a fee of £69m, which is his release clause at Sporting.
Man United should sign Palhinha instead of Hjulmand
Hjulmand is a very physical defensive midfielder, he’s good in the air, and likes to win the ball in physical battles, however, his lack of Premier League experience could be an issue, especially considering that £69m is a lot of money for any club to fork out, especially Man United with their current financial situation.
Instead, United should go after Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha, who is reportedly a target of Spurs this summer. According to Florian Plettenberg on X, Tottenham are monitoring the 30-year-old amid reports that Bayern are open to selling him this summer.
Palhinha has Premier League experience with Fulham, as he played for the Cottagers between 2022 and 2024, before moving to the Bundesliga for £44m last summer. It has not worked out for the Portuguese midfielder, as he’s made just 25 appearances in all competitions for Vincent Kompany’s side.
He would be a much cheaper option than Hjulmand, as Palhinha’s current market value is estimated to be around £26m, a deal that would be more financially viable for United; he would also be less of a risk compared to Hjulmand. And given Bayern are open to selling him, a deal could also be easier to do.
Man United could get Palhinha and Martinez for less than Hjulmand
There are several areas of the pitch that United need to improve, but alongside defensive midfield, the goalkeeper position needs addressing too after a poor season from Andre Onana last year at the back.
If United decided to sign Palhinha rather than Hjulmand, they would save roughly £40m in transfer value, something that Amorim could spend on a new stopper. Reports have said that Aston Villa could ask for up to £40m for Emiliano Martinez, a keeper that United have been heavily linked with in recent weeks.
United could sign Martinez and Palhinha rather than just Hjulmand, and they’d be getting two experienced Premier League players, who aren’t risky, but would no doubt help to improve Amorim’s squad at a relatively low cost.
Martinez reportedly wants a move to Man United, and the Red Devils recently approached him about a potential loan deal, but it was rejected by Villa, who want a permanent sale for the 32-year-old.