Man United make £69 million Sporting Lisbon star their “priority” target as Possible Casemiro replacement

Man United make £69 million Sporting Lisbon star their “priority” target as Possible Casemiro replacement

The uncertainty over the manager’s future at Manchester United continues to reign supreme.

INEOS are taking their time and them some to arrive at a decision on whether to continue with Erik ten Hag or not.

That delay is causing United’s transfer plans for a pivotal summer to be up in the air as any representative would think twice before sending his player to a club where the man tasked with picking him is unknown.

Amidst all the uncertainty, it looks like United have settled on a player who they will give their all to sign regardless of the man in the dugout.

According to reports that Morten Hjulmand of Sporting Lisbon has been earmarked as United’s “priority” target for the summer window.

The defensive midfielder has long been linked with United but those lukewarm links are now strengthening.

This news comes on the heels of recent reports that Casemiro’s exit looks increasingly likely, leaving United without a natural defensive midfielder in the squad.

There is uncertainty over Sofyan Amrabat’s future and it is more likely than not that he stays at Old Trafford.

Combine that with Christian Eriksen also being on the chopping block, and the need for a defensive-minded midfielder becomes paramount.

The report states that Sporting could be convinced to part ways with the player for around £69 million.

The Portuguese League champions are in a strong financial position after winning the league again and have an abundance of high-value assets in the team.

Their defensive pairing of Ousmane Diomane and Goncalo Inacio has already been linked with United so the club might have to prioritise and tread carefully to avoid upsetting Sporting.

Out of all those players, Hjulmand looks like the best bet as there is a paucity of world-class, natural defensive midfielders while centre-back options are many.

At just 24, he has the potential to form the spine of the next great United team alongside his national teammate Rasmus Hojlund and others