Manchester United are continuing their squad rebuild under boss Erik ten Hag, with new minority owners INEOS handing the Dutchman a contract extension until 2026 in June. The 20-time English champions have already been active in the summer transfer window so far, signing talents such as Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
However, Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are not done in the transfer market. They are in the hunt for a defensive midfielder to replace Casemiro ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and have made Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte their No.1 target.
The Red Devils have agreed personal terms with Ugarte and the player is keen on a move to Old Trafford after failing to live up to his expectations at PSG following his big-money move from Sporting CP last summer.
With PSG keen on signing Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, the Uruguay international is wary that he will drop further down the pecking order under Luis Enrique and thus wants to leave the club after just one season.
However, according to Football Transfers, Man United are unwilling to match Ugarte’s €70 million price tag as it is proving too expensive. They have not made any proposals or offers to the French champions for the combative midfielder. Instead, the Mancunian giants are now considering a swoop for Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand.
The Red Devils admire Hjulmand’s positional awareness, discipline, and reading of the game in a possession-based outfit, which will suit Ten Hag’s side. The 25-year-old performed very well for Denmark at Euro 2024, scoring a fantastic long-range goal in the 1-1 draw with England in the group stages.
INEOS are building an exciting project at Old Trafford by signing young talents with huge potential, as evidenced by recent recruits of Zirkzee and Yoro. Hjulmand would be another exciting addition to the red brigade, as Ten Hag and Co. look to get back in the Champions League in 2025.
