Man Utd's backup plan for Carlos Baleba revealed as Ruben Amorim eyes £50m reunion with Sporting CP midfielder who has Arsenal tattoo

Baleba was a revelation last season, ranking among the Premier League’s best for tackles, interceptions, blocks and recoveries. Brighton aren't budging, seeing him as a pivotal piece for the campaign ahead after starting 31 of 38 league games last term.

According to The Sun, Brighton's firm stance has forced United to shift their focus to Hjulmand. United are preparing a £50m bid, with Sporting likely to consider an offer about £10m shy of his £68m release clause if performance add-ons are met. The Dane is no stranger to Amorim’s high-intensity, structured style, having played 65 matches under him at Sporting. Together, they lifted two Primeira Liga titles and a Taca de Portugal, with Hjulmand wearing the captain’s armband.

If United pull the trigger on Hjulmand, the savings could fuel another high-profile raid – this time for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, as they seek a new long-term goalkeeper. However, they must act quickly, as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are also lurking, with the Spaniard also eyeing Baleba as a potential long-term heir to Rodri.

Hjulmand is a lifelong Arsenal supporter, and he’s literally got the ink to prove it, with a Gunners-inspired tattoo on his body. That’s unlikely to sit well with sections of the United faithful, but Amorim believes his ex-captain’s mentality could win over even the most sceptical fans.