Rui Borges, the manager of Sporting CP, has made clear he is not worried about ongoing links between Manchester United and his captain, midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
In his pre‑match press conference ahead of Sporting’s Champions League fixture with Olympique de Marseille, Borges was asked directly about United’s alleged attempt to sign the 26‑year‑old in the January transfer window. He dismissed any notion of panic.
“A lot of questions [laughs]… We don’t have any tears, unlike last season. Muscle tears,” Borges said with a wry smile. “Hjulmand is Hjulmand. Our leader, captain. He won’t always be at his best, but he’s always important. He demands of himself and his teammates every day. As for United, it’s October, and I’m focused on Marseille.”
Morten Hjulmand has been aggressively subject to links with Man United
The Danish international has been widely linked with a move to Old Trafford, particularly with United in need of a high‑quality midfielder. Hjulmand’s strong performances for Sporting have put him firmly in their sights. Yet Borges stressed that Sporting have no plans to entertain serious departure talks at this stage.
The Portuguese side remain confident they can hold onto their midfield linchpin. Sporting believe that Hjulmand’s contract and his importance to the team place them in a strong negotiating position. The manager’s guarded remarks reflect that stance: there’s no urgency, no immediate pressure and no distraction from this season’s objectives.
What the comments highlight for United is the challenge they face. If they genuinely want Hjulmand, the timing looks clear: not January is off the table entirely, but any move will likely involve major negotiation and a waiting game. For now, Sporting are in control, and Hjulmand remains central to their project.
