Manuel Ugarte: United’s surprise plans for Uruguayan revealed | OneFootball

With a return to the Champions League officially secured, Manchester United will now begin planning for next season with the aim of challenging on all four fronts.

Multiple signings are expected, especially in midfield, where Casemiro is set to depart once his current deal concludes at the end of the season.

Manuel Ugarte is another midfielder INEOS are keen to offload, with the Uruguayan struggling to impose himself in England since his ill-fated £50.75 million move from Paris Saint-Germain two seasons ago.

However, the Red Devils are aware that they are unlikely to recoup anything close to what they paid, considering the 25-year-old’s underwhelming displays.

Manuel Ugarte value has tanked

There is interest from Turkey, Italy, and the Netherlands, but the 20-time English league champions would prefer to do a deal on the low so as to avoid his value tanking further.

Should they actively offer the Uruguay international to suitors, it is likely he would fetch a lower sum than expected.

INEOS would need to sell the former Sporting CP ace for at least £25.26 million to avoid a loss under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

Should the South American’s sale not fetch as much initially, with Juventus preferring a loan deal, United are even prepared to keep Manuel Ugarte as their fourth-choice midfielder in the new season, as per The Sun.

United’s surprise plans come to light

“MANCHESTER UNITED want to sell Manuel Ugarte in an effort to bring in a third midfielder. United figures are reluctant to actively hawk Ugarte around so that his value does not decrease.

“But well-placed sources have confirmed United’s preference is to sell Ugarte less than two years after he arrived in a £50.75million deal.

“United are targeting two central midfield signings, with Casemiro due to be released, and are prepared to finance a third if they can offload Ugarte.

“United are prepared to head into next season with Ugarte as their fourth-choice midfielder if they cannot get him off the books.”

Will Manuel Ugarte accept?

Manuel Ugarte might not warm to the idea, as he would like regular minutes after having earned a solitary start under Michael Carrick.

If United do end up signing more than one midfielder in the summer, his fortunes are unlikely to change, especially if the current caretaker head coach is made permanent by the club’s co-owners.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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