Manuel Ugarte: Crystal Palace’s plan for Man United flop explained | OneFootball

Manchester United are pushing to sell Manuel Ugarte this summer as Crystal Palace have emerged as an unlikely contender for the 25-year-old midfielder, according to a new report.

Moving on from a mistake

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for an initial £42.1 million, Ugarte has proven to be the worst signing of the INEOS era.

The Uruguay international, who is set to play a key role for his country at the World Cup this month, has wholly failed to adapt to the intensity of English football. Truthfully, this should have come as little surprise, given that his worst performances in a PSG shirt – and the ones which ultimately sealed his fate under Luis Enrique – came in the Champions League against Premier League opposition, specifically Newcastle United.

The Montevideo native was overwhelmed by the pace and power of Eddie Howe’s side as the Magpies put the Ligue 1 giants to the sword at St James’ Park – a prescient demonstration of the struggles he would face at Old Trafford.

The i Paper claims there was surprise in the French capital that United were “willing to pay” such a significant fee for a player “well down the pecking order” in Enrique’s mind, which should have weakened PSG’s negotiating position.

While Joshua Zirkzee has faced similar issues since arriving in M16 in the same window, Ugarte was more expensive and a more important signing, as he was supposed to take the mantle from Casemiro.

The fact that United are prioritising a ‘marquee’ signing to replace the 34-year-old Brazilian, whose contract expires this month, tells its own story of how this succession plan has played out.

Man United's signings under INEOS - Ratings

Palace plot a shock swoop

Despite Ugarte’s teething issues in England being the type any self-respecting dentist would refuse to treat, Crystal Palace are understood to be weighing up a move for the former Sporting CP star.

Sports Boom reveals the Eagles, fresh from winning the Europa Conference League, are “monitoring the midfielder’s situation” as they believe he could “slot seamlessly into their high-intensity system.”

Everton are also mentioned as a suitor, while there is long-standing interest from Italy and Türkiye. A report relayed by The Peoples Person claims Super Lig champions Galatasaray have agreed personal terms with Ugarte.

But Sports Boom states it is the two Premier League clubs who are “frontrunners” for the United star, who are said to be “ready to listen to offers”. A fee of around £25m would be needed to avoid a negative PSR hit.

Final Thoughts

INEOS will not care which club Ugarte ends up at this summer, only that he departs to make room for an upgrade and help the hierarchy move on from their costly mistake. A deal has already been struck for Atalanta dynamo Ederson, while talks are ongoing for West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes.

United likely need to sell the Uruguayan to fund a third arrival to help fix the stalling engine room. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson remains the primary target, while Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is another ambitious option, though moves for either are considered remote at this stage.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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