Every transfer window, it seems that Manchester United find themselves under pressure to strengthen in the same old positions.
And, heading into 2025, the Red Devils will once again be scouring the market for left-backs, right-wingers and defensive midfielders.
With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still unavailable, with Antony’s miserable spell at Manchester United seemingly past it’s sell-by-date and Casemiro not getting any younger, reinforcements are likely to be required at the back, up top, and in the centre of the park too.
Thanks to the £42 million deadline day deal they agreed with Paris Saint-Germain, Man United’s post-Casemiro succession plan is already taking shape.
Manuel Ugarte produced his best United display against Fenerbahce during Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw in Istanbul.
But should the Premier League giants look to add to their Danish contingent of Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Chido-Obi Martin, Morten Hjulmand is another name which could appear again in the gossip columns.
Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand tipped for Manchester United
Brian Riemer was announced as the new head coach of the Danish national team this week.
And he believes that Hjulmand – the Sporting Lisbon captain with a £69 million release clause in his contract – would have few problems adapting to life at one of England’s top clubs.
“I spent two years in the Premier League, and I think he has the necessary qualities to play for the six or seven best clubs in the English league,” Riemer tells O Jogo.
“Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City…
“At a certain point in his career, I believe he will arrive at one of these teams. His character, his leadership, his personality, his communication are not very common in today’s football.
“It reminds me of the defensive midfielders of the past, who controlled the entire game, who led the teams. You don’t see that much nowadays. It’s something rare what Hjulmand has. I’m a big fan of his.
“I think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with Hjulmand.”
Hjulmand combines the tough-tackling tenacity of Casemiro and Ugarte with a poise and a composure more reminiscent of, say, Rodri.
Former Old Trafford right-back Paul Parker sees shades of a young Casemiro in Hjulmand.
Hjulmand took the armband at the Estadio da Luz over the summer. The second time he has captained a club in a major European league.
Bruno Fernandes is also a huge fan of the ex-Lecce skipper, Hjulmand translating his impressive club form onto the international stage as he rattled home a 35-yard equaliser against England at this summer’s European Championships.
Brian Riemer will be reunited with Christian Eriksen at Denmark
If the name Brian Riemer feels familiar, meanwhile, it is probably because the former Brentford assistant was the manager of Anderlecht when Christian Eriksen emerged as a target for the Belgian outfit during the transfer window just gone.
Riemer talked up his relationship with Man United’s in-form playmaker, Anderlecht only walking away from Eriksen after deciding that they could not afford his wages.
“Look, we are always looking for good players,” Riemer tells DH Net. “Connections can mean something.
“I know Christian Eriksen well, yes. We worked together at Brentford three years ago and I still exchange messages with Christian regularly.”
Scoring his fourth of the season in Turkey last time out, Man United will be glad they kept Christian Eriksen even if his future remains uncertain as his contract enters it’s final 10 months.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/JfijL4r