
Manchester United are moving towards a vital midfield decision ahead of the summer window. After months of uncertainty, Manuel Ugarte’s situation is now becoming clear.
The 24-year-old arrives at Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for around €50m (£43m). He was expected to add bite and control to the midfield.
However, that impact has not materialized. Instead, Ugarte has struggled for consistency and minutes recently.
This season he has played only 791 minutes in the Premier League. His last start came against Burnley and since then he has largely remained on the bench under Michael Carrick.
As a result, disappointment has increasedBoth internally and publicly. The player admitted earlier this month that lack of game time was becoming an issue.
Now exit is part of Manchester United’s plan
Manchester United are no longer just considering possibilities. They are now actively looking to sell Manuel Ugarte in the next transfer window.
This is according to a Uruguayan newspaper CountryWho report that the club are willing to clear a departure despite the midfielder being under contract until 2029. This decision reflects his limited role. Furthermore, it reflects a broader need to reshape the midfield.
Ugarte still holds a strong market value, which is helped by his age and his position in the Uruguay national team under Marcelo Bielsa. A sale this summer would allow the club to reinvest before that value risks falling further.
There is also a comprehensive squad reference. Manchester United are expected to look for midfield reinforcements who would fit better into Carrick’s system, particularly in terms of progression and pace. Keeping a player with limited participation will further complicate his rebuild.
Interest in Serie A grows as competition emerges
The Manuel Ugarte situation has increasingly attracted attention in Italy, and what initially seemed like single-club interest is now developing into a more competitive race.
Juventus remain firmly in the picture. As mentioned earlier La Gazzetta dello SportSporting director Marco Ottolini is set to keep a close eye on the midfielder during Uruguay’s friendly against Algeria at the Allianz Stadium. That scouting opportunity is seen as an important step ahead of the summer.
However, Juventus is no longer alone. El Pais say Napoli have now joined the race and are ready to make a push for the signature. Meaning the Serie A champions could reunite the Old Trafford midfield duo, with Ugarte again playing alongside Scott McTominay. But the bottom line is that the two major Italian sides are eyeing the same opportunity.
Atletico Madrid had previously kept an eye on Ugarte. During this time, Aston Villa and Newcastle United The two explored loan deals in an earlier window, but were rejected by Manchester United at the time.
what happens next
Manuel Ugarte is keen to decide his future soon. The midfielder wants clarity ahead of the upcoming World Cup, allowing him to concentrate fully on international duty with Uruguay.
Importantly, he is prioritizing a move to Europe’s top leagues. Offers from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have already been rejected, indicating that the level of play outweighs financial incentives at this stage of his career.
The direction for Manchester United is now clear. The club is ready to listen, and with interest in Serie A rising, the conditions are ripe for a summer exit.
Everything now points to movement in the coming months – and potentially a bidding war that could help United maximize their return.
🇵🇹Samuel Dahl | Manchester United for Benfica left-back
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