Manchester United Pursues PSG Midfielder Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United has expressed interest in acquiring Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte during this summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports. The Red Devils are actively seeking to bolster their midfield, and Ugarte has become a primary target.
In addition to strengthening their midfield, United is also focusing on acquiring a new striker and central defender, with Joshua Zirkzee and Jarrad Branthwaite being key prospects.
Speculation Surrounding Ugarte’s Transfer
United’s interest in the Uruguayan midfielder is not new. They were linked to him last summer but did not make a formal bid to sign him from Sporting Lisbon. Ugarte eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain, opting to decline Chelsea’s offer.
Ugarte’s first season at PSG was mixed. Despite making 37 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions, he was often left on the bench, particularly with the rise of young talent Warren Zaire-Emery. Notably, he only played 23 minutes in the Champions League knockout stages, fueling rumors about a potential transfer.
PSG signed Ugarte for £51 million last summer and would likely want to recover that investment given his potential and age. Described as “tireless” by PSG’s official website, Ugarte could be a valuable addition to Manchester United.
Ugarte’s Potential Impact at United
Ugarte’s performance statistics from last season are impressive. He achieved a passing accuracy of 91 percent and averaged 6.4 duels and 3.9 tackles per game in Ligue 1. Additionally, he made 7.2 recoveries per match, losing possession only 7.4 times per game. However, his tendency to be dribbled past nearly twice per game might be a concern.
The speculation about Ugarte’s transfer could be driven by agents, especially as United considers long-term replacements for Casemiro. Whether United’s interest in Ugarte is genuine remains to be seen.
Currently, Ugarte is with Argentina at the Copa America, and any decision regarding his future is likely to be made after the tournament concludes in the United States.