Man Utd have already decided their next midfield target after Carlos Baleba transfer blow

Manchester United have been tipped to go for a player Ruben Amorim knows well after walking away from their pursuit of top target Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has come to an abrupt end.

United initially identified the 21-year-old Cameroon international as the perfect addition to strengthen their midfield and began the process by making indirect enquiries earlier this month. Formal communication with Brighton soon followed, but the club never submitted an official bid.

Sources suggest United were ultimately put off by the Seagulls’ valuation, deeming the fee too high to justify a move.

On Friday afternoon, after Brighton had notably featured Baleba prominently in their training content, David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed that United had decided to halt negotiations for the former Lille star.

Manchester United have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, respecting the Seagulls’ firm stance that the 21-year-old is not for sale after losing Joao Pedro, Pervis Estupiñán, and Simon Adingra earlier in the window.

According to Fabrizio Romano, United are now “expected to turn attention to different targets,” with speculation mounting over potential alternatives. One name already being discussed is Morten Hjulmand, Sporting Lisbon’s captain.

As reported by Simon Stone of the BBC, manager Rúben Amorim has so far avoided raiding his former club for signings, but Hjulmand could emerge as a realistic option given Amorim’s familiarity with the Danish midfielder from their time together in Portugal.

Stone added that a source close to the situation expects the 26-year-old Denmark international to move this summer, and if United officially close the door on Baleba, Hjulmand could become a primary target.

United still need to offload players before making further signings, but Lisbon may yet be where they turn to reinforce their midfield options.

Links between Morten Hjulmand and Manchester United first surfaced after the midfielder’s standout performances for Denmark at Euro 2024, with pressure mounting on Rúben Amorim to reunite with his former player. Hjulmand further enhanced his reputation with a commanding display in Sporting’s 4-1 victory over Manchester City, catching the eye of United’s recruitment team.

The 26-year-old joined Sporting from Lecce in 2023 and has since become a cornerstone of their midfield, amassing nearly 100 appearances and winning two Primeira Liga titles.

Amorim himself has previously hailed Hjulmand as “the most complete player” when comparing him to fellow Sporting midfield graduates Manuel Ugarte and João Palhinha, underlining just how highly he rates the Danish international.

With United shifting focus after abandoning their move for Carlos Baleba, Hjulmand’s name continues to circle as a genuine option to bolster the Old Trafford engine room.