Manuel Ugarte: Manchester United open to ruthlessly selling £42m midfield flop | OneFootball

Manchester United’s midfield will be an area of focus heading into the January transfer window. 

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro remain Ruben Amorim’s preferred choice for his double pivot. The ageing duo struggle to control games and maintain tempo, owing to their ageing legs and limited technical prowess. 

However, there is a significant drop-off without them on the pitch. Kobbie Mainoo lacks defensive awareness and Manuel Ugarte has shown to be a liability in all phases of play.

Manchester United keen on revamping midfield

According to ESPN, Manchester United want two new midfielders in their bid to overhaul their midfield department.

It is understood United are “struggling to create the financial headroom to do much business in January.”

Still, there is an acceptance that “smart deals next month could propel the team into contention for UEFA Champions League qualification.” United sit seventh in the Premier League, three points off fourth-placed Aston Villa.

A major exit or two mid-season could help United hand Amorim his desired profile in the middle of the park.

The report states: “If the United hierarchy can unlock some funds, it could make a move for one of its key midfield targets — Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Angelo Stiller — in January.”

Man United willing to offload Manuel Ugarte

It is believed United will listen to offers for a number of players, including Manuel Ugarte. 

Signed for an initial fee of £42m from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, Ugarte has yet to find his feet in the Premier League.

In possession, the 24-year-old seems devoid of any confidence and ideas, and without the ball, he often finds himself lost in no-man’s land.

In November, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Amorim had “particularly pointed feedback” for Ugarte during the end-of-season meeting at Carrington.

The United head coach underlined the ex-Sporting CP midfielder had “gotten comfortable and said he did not recognise him as the same player from their first stint together.”

Featured image Richard Pelham via Getty Images

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