Three players Man United could sign from Brighton if they appoint Fabian Hurzeler
Manchester United look set to make another change at head coach as Ruben Amorim nears the sack at the club.
Xavi has been linked to Manchester United by reports in recent weeks as a potential suitor for Amorim at the club.
Man United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford was a dismal showing from Amorim’s side, and has piled more pressure on the Portuguese head coach.
Amorim has struggled to adapt to the Premier League, as the change from having the best team in the league to an average one continues to hamper the 40-year-old.
Manchester United linked to Fabian Hurzeler
Fabian Hurzeler is a Man United target, according to reports in recent days, and the German has responded to the links.
“Yeah, of course, it is always an honour to be a part of the rumours. But I really respect the coach Ruben Amorim there, so I think it’s not the right thing to talk about this,” Hurzeler said in an interview with talkSPORT.
“But overall, I can say it’s a privilege to work for Brighton. I’m very happy to be the coach here. We [still] have a lot of work in front of us.”
If the links to Hurzeler are true, the German is likely to be one of a host of names the club targets, but if the 32-year-old were to come to Old Trafford, he’d want a number of signings to come with him from Brighton.
Carlos Baleba
If Hurzeler were to come to the North East, existing links between Man United and Carlos Baleba would no doubt intensify.
Baleba has struggled to start the season, but at his best, the Cameroonian midfielder has proven he can dictate Premier League games when he’s at his best.
Man United have obvious issues in midfield, and Baleba would bring off-the-ball energy, technical quality, and a ribust defensive nature to the base of the midfield at Old Trafford.
Jan Paul van Hecke
Another young star that Hurzeler may be tempted to bring with him from Brighton is Dutchman Jan Paul van Hecke.
The defender has been an integral part of Hurzeler’s system at the AMEX Stadium, and Van Hecke would provide great competition for Leny Yoro.
| 2024-25 Stats per 90 | Jan Paul van Hecke | Matthijs de Ligt | Leny Yoro | Harry Maguire | Lisandro Martinez |
| Progressive passes | 6.93 | 2.33 | 4.03 | 2.62 | 6 |
| Passes into final third | 6.87 | 2.67 | 3.41 | 2.46 | 4.67 |
| Tackles | 1.37 | 1.27 | 2.25 | 1.54 | 2.05 |
| Interceptions | 0.73 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.05 | 1.64 |
| Clearances | 4.32 | 4.07 | 3.33 | 4 | 2.92 |
Van Hecke’s progressive numbers catch the eye, and his qualities in that area are something that this current Man United side sorely lacks.
Bart Verbruggen
Man United have well-known issues in goal, with Altay Bayindir starting the season in an unconvincing fashion, and Andre Onana currently on loan.
Senne Lammens joined the club from Royal Antwerp in the summer, but is still young, so Hurzeler would likely require a more experienced shot stopper were he to take the United hot seat.
Dutchman Bart Verbruggen is a Premier League-proven shot stopper who has come up big for Hurzeler on numerous occasions.
It’s only a matter of time before the Dutch international gets given the opportunity to make a big move, and a switch to Man United would become more likely if Sir Jim Ratcliffe opted for Hurzeler.