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.

After identifying him as the ideal player to transform their midfield, United made indirect contact over a deal for the Brighton midfielder at the start of the month and then communicated with the Seagulls directly over the 21-year-old.

But without making an offer to test Brighton's resolve, United have abandoned their mooted move for the Cameroon international - feeling as though the price quoted was ultimately too high.

On Friday afternoon, after Brighton had put Baleba at the front of their training videos, David Ornstein of The Athletic was among those to report that United had halted proceedings for the former Lille man.

Carlos Baleba to Manchester United looks dead in the water. Image: Getty

United respected Brighton's stance that their prized asset is not for sale following the departures of Joao Pedro, Pervis Estupinan and Simon Adingra.

According to Fabrizio Romano, United are now "expected to turn attention to different targets" but there is talk that one of their alternatives could be a player they have been linked with before.

Amorim has refrained from signing any players from Sporting but according to Simon Stone of the BBC, they could look to the Lisbon outfit's captain Morten Hjulmand as a back-up plan after he spoke to someone with knowledge of the latest goings on involving the Dane.

Man United have potential Baleba alternative

"They have been linked with Sporting skipper Morten Hjulmand, someone Amorim knows very well from their time working together in Portugal," Stone wrote.

"Someone I have spoken to with an understanding of Hjulmand's situation believes the 26-year-old Denmark midfielder will move this summer.

"United do need to start selling players but I am guessing that if they exhaust their inquiries for Baleba, their sights may turn to Lisbon."

United could turn to Sporting CP skipper Morten Hjulmand. Image: Getty

Hjulmand to United links began after his impressive displays for Denmark in Euro 2024 and United demanded Amorim reunite with him following his exceptional performance in a 4-1 win over Manchester City.

The 26-year-old joined from Lecce in 2023 and has won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting, where he has racked up close to 100 appearances.

Amorim branded Hjulmand "the most complete player" when discussing him and fellow midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Joao Paulinha.