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Ruben Amorim favourite fails Man Utd transfer audition in Scotland epic
Man Utd-target Morten Hjulmand was arguably the man most responsible for Denmark's costly World Cup defeat against Scotland.
Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park in an epic qualifier that sent the Scots to a first World Cup finals in 28 years.
In a see-saw game, which Scotland had to win in order to qualify and send Denmark to the playoffs, the decisive moment came at 2-2 in the 93rd minute.
Hjulmand scuffed a dreadful clearance on the edge of the box which went straight to Kieran Tierney, who curled home a brilliant shot into the corner.
Kenny McLean then lobbed Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line as Denmark pushed for an equaliser to make it 4-2.
Hjulmand fails Man Utd audition
Hjulmand's error proved very costly for Denmark and will not have impressed Man Utd fans or directors watching on.
Man Utd are on the market for a new central midfielder in January and have Hjulmand near the top of their shortlist.
Hjulmand is a player who is greatly admired by Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese tactician previously describing Hjulmand as more complete than Sporting predecessors Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte.
The 26-year-old has been brilliant for the reigning Portuguese champions since replacing Ugarte in 2023, captaining the side to last season's league title.
Signing the player in January is regarded as almost impossible but a summer move is very possible.
Hjulmand has an €80 million release clause in his contract at Sporting, who intend to keep him until the end of the season.
Speaking on international duty with Denmark last month, the midfielder would not be drawn on Man Utd's interest: “I don't react to rumours. I react to the fact that I should start [the season] at Sporting, where we have performed at a high level.
"I'd rather not answer that,” Hjulmand said evasively when pressed on whether he had talked to any clubs during the summer window.
President Frederico Varandas confirmed after the summer window that the Dane had turned down lucrative transfers that could have seen him triple his salary in favour of staying in Lisbon.
It remains to be seen if Hjulmand is willing to extend his stay in Portugal's capital, but as far as Sporting are concerned, they are determined to keep hold of him at least until the summer. They do not want to lose their captain in January and ideally want him to sign a new long-term deal.
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