Manchester United Seeks £25 Million for Manuel Ugarte’s Summer Transfer
Manchester United is set to demand £25 million for the departure of midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, just two years after the club invested £42 million in him. Reports from Samuel Luckhurst indicate that the club’s confidence in the 25-year-old Uruguayan has been waning since last year.
Recent claims suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe personally requested Ugarte’s exit following a visit to Carrington, which came in the wake of the team’s defeat to Leeds United. In that game, Ugarte made his first start under manager Michael Carrick, filling in due to an injury to Kobbie Mainoo. However, his performance was notably poor, which led Carrick to bench him for subsequent matches against Chelsea and Brentford, both of which ended in wins for United.
Ugarte’s record since Carrick’s appointment stands at seven appearances, with just one start and six times remaining unused, accumulating only 155 minutes on the pitch.
Interest in Ugarte is reportedly growing, with several top clubs across Europe keen on his signature. Ajax was among the first to show interest last winter, along with Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray. The Uruguayan may also attract attention from Serie A powerhouses Napoli and Juventus, with Napoli presenting a unique opportunity to play alongside Scott McTominay, whom he was initially brought in to replace at Old Trafford in August 2024.
In addition to Ugarte, the club plans to offload other players, including Joshua Zirkzee, while Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to join Barcelona and Napoli, respectively, at the end of their loan agreements.