Manchester United appear to be preparing for another midfield shake-up with Manuel Ugarte expected to leave the club this summer.
Fabrizio Romano says United have made their position clear to the player’s camp that they want him to leave and that message has already been communicated.
The situation seems quite serious. Romano newspaper reported that Ugarte is expected to leave Man United, while the club plans to sign at least two new midfielders during the summer.
TEAMtalk also reported that United’s decision on Ugarte was “absolutely clear”, with the Uruguayan midfielder seen as one of the players who could be sacrificed as part of a larger rebuild of the squad.
When Ugarte joined Man United from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024, there was great excitement surrounding the deal.
Ugarte failed to live up to expectations at Manchester United
United signed him to a five-year contract, with the club describing him as a tough-tackling midfielder who could add bite and aggression to the center of the pitch.
At the time, it looked like the kind of deal United needed. They needed energy, defensive discipline and a proper ball winner in midfield.
But football doesn’t always work out as it seems on paper.
Ugarte showed flashes of what he could do. He’s aggressive, covers ground and isn’t afraid to get stuck in.
The problem is that Man United, especially under manager Michael Carrick, need more than just a disruptor in midfield.
Red Devils ready to make a change this summer
United are currently looking to build a team that can control games better, play under pressure and create from deeper areas. That’s something Ugarte had a hard time convincing completely.
Carrick is looking for a midfielder who has calmness, aggressiveness, athleticism and defensive ability, while also being able to help the team express themselves on the ball.
With Casemiro also gone and United preparing for the Champions League, the midfield is clearly being rebuilt from scratch.
That makes Ugarte’s situation difficult. He’s not a terrible player by any means, but he may simply not be the right profile for the player United want next.
The club reportedly wants to free up space, and Ugarte’s transfer would help create space in the squad and possibly free up wages for new players.
Michael Carrick is confident the influential figure will remain at Man United this summer
