Man Utd 'accelerate £67m transfer plan' for January as Kobbie Mainoo 'delisted'

Manchester United could accelerate the planned pursuit of Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand until the January transfer window, according to reports. Ruben Amorim is reportedly aiming for a reunion with his former midfield general, but faces formidable competition from Manchester City.

Hjulmand made 65 appearances under Sporting's Portuguese head coach, recording 11 goals from the engine room.

The 25-year-old's sustained form for Primeira Liga champions and his country Denmark, notably at Euro 2024, has sparked continued links towards a Premier League move.

According to GIVEMESPORT, United could try to complete a deal for Hjulmand in January as City increasingly want more midfield reinforcements this winter.

Pep Guardiola is enduring the worst crisis of his dominant reign at the Etihad Stadium, losing five straight matches before surrendering a three-goal second-half lead to draw 3-3 at Feyenoord on Tuesday.

City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and face a rarely successful trip to Anfield on Sunday, where that gap is expected to extend to 11.

City are claimed to be eyeing Hjulmand as a January transfer target as Guardiola scrambles to fill the void left by Ballon d'Or holder Rodri's ACL injury.

Interest from the Citizens could kickstart United and advance the club's plans to sign the Dane next summer.

Hjulmand has a release clause worth £67million, which will likely need to be triggered to keep him away from the Jose Alvalade Stadium midway through the campaign.

His suitors can, however, begin negotiations on personal terms if they match that assessment, and he could be interested in working with Amorim again at Old Trafford.

The report adds that United had initially planned to pursue Hjulmand next summer, after monitoring him for over a year.

United and City scouts were reportedly present during Sporting's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this week, potentially eyeing Hjulmand just as much as poster boy Viktor Gyokeres.

There is a feeling that Amorim's presence in Manchester may convince the Sporting star to join him as well as his fellow Danes, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund.

United's interest in Hjulmand emerges after Danny Murphy predicted Amorim will soon look for a new midfielder in partnership with former Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to return to his crucial role once he is fully fit again, but Murphy has effectively ruled out the 19-year-old from the new United boss's future plans.

It is claimed there are other options on the 39-year-old's transfer wishlist other than Hjulmand. United are also reportedly considering a possible swoop for young Sunderland talent Chris Rigg in January.

Rosenborg's Sverre Nypan has also been linked with a heavyweight move to Old Trafford before and after impressing against the Red Devils in pre-season.