Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils are looking for options to bolster their engine room ahead of the 2024/25 season. They are willing to offload Casemiro in this summer transfer window and replace him with a young, energetic and mobile defensive midfielder who can be the perfect foil for Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes.
The 20-time English champions view Manuel Ugarte as the ideal candidate to fill the destroyer role. His solid displays with Uruguay at the ongoing Copa America have further enhanced his reputation. Manchester United have reportedly been encouraged to advance for a potential deal for the 23-year-old, who has seen his career slightly stall at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Uruguay international only made 21 Ligue 1 starts for PSG following his big-money switch from Sporting CP last summer. PSG boss Luis Enrique doesn’t count Ugarte in his plans for the 2024/25 season, which has prompted the player and his representatives to leave the French capital this summer for the Premier League.
Manuel Ugarte could be a difference-maker at Old Trafford
Manchester United signed Mason Mount from Chelsea and bought Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina last summer. Mount endured a difficult debut season at Old Trafford due to a recurring knee problem while Amrabat struggled to adapt to the demands of English football. With Amrabat’s loan expiring on June 30, Casemiro expected to be offloaded and Christian Eriksen entering the final year of his contract, the Red Devils remain interested in signing a midfielder.
Manuel Ugarte has emerged as a target for the Mancunian club. A move to PSG hasn’t worked out as intended as he failed to impress manager Luis Enrique with his skill set on and off the ball. The Uruguayan enforcer is now open to leaving PSG after just one season and joining Man United, despite Erik ten Hag’s side not qualifying for the Champions League.
The club officials are holding internal talks to decide whether to launch a formal bid for Ugarte, who is starring for his nation at the Copa America in the United States. The Montevideo-born star has the qualities to thrive in Ten Hag’s system at Man United whilst addressing one of the biggest problems in the team.
Regardless of what happens with Casemiro amid interest from Saudi Arabia, the Red Devils must complete a deal for Ugarte as quickly as possible.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.