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Man Utd to challenge Barcelona with blockbuster offer for Benfica wonderkid
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Manchester United are primed for something of a rebuild this summer, and they have identified Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup as a key piece of it.
The 21-year-old Norwegian left winger would join Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo in the Man Utd attack, and a €60 million offer has been reported by Fichajes. Barcelona are also said to be monitoring the player.
Man Utd have mostly been linked with Premier League-proven midfielders ahead of the summer window with Casemiro already having confirmed his exit. Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes could follow him on the way out.
Current ETV
Andreas Schjelderup
F, M, AM (L)
Benfica
Andreas Schjelderup
F, M, AM (L)
Benfica
ETV Range
€16.3M - €20M
Replacing Fernandes — and his league-best 16 assists — would be the biggest challenge, but Schjelderup could help do just that. His eight goals and four assists in all competitions are not the most impressive, but he has some of the best chance-creation metrics in Liga Portugal with 0.4 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes (second-best), 5.3 total xA (fifth-best), seven big chances created (tied for 14th-best), and 32 total chances created (tied for 22nd-best) despite missing six of his club’s 27 matches played.
How would Schjelderup fit into Man Utd’s XI?
Schjelderup would likely play on the left side of Man Utd’s attack if he is to join the club, with Cunha sitting behind the striker and Mbeumo either on the right or leading the line.
Sesko has come off the bench to great effect in recent weeks, but the Slovenian, who will be 23 years old next season, may be ready for a starting role at centre-forward next year.
STATS
Andreas Schjelderup
F, M, AM (L)
Benfica
Andreas Schjelderup
F, M, AM (L)
Benfica
That would leave converted winger Patrick Dorgu, who is currently out with a hamstring injury, out of the XI, but depth will be much more important in 2026/27 as Man Utd are on course to qualify for the Champions League as things stand.
As league leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City have demonstrated, depth is key when a club has the added stress of midweek, European football to consider.
And, with Schjelderup being just 21, he fits a similar timeline as Sesko, Dorgu, and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Those four, along with 19-year-old centre-back Ayden Heaven, would give Man Utd a strong foundation for the present and future.
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