Manchester United look set to make midfield changes with one player on his way out of Old Trafford and one player preparing to arrive.
After starting the season with three points in the 1-0 win over Fulham, Manchester United fans came back to earth on Saturday.
United lost 2-1 at Brighton and Hove Albion with dreadful defending allowing Joao Pedro to win the game with a completely unmarked header.
It all could have been so different for United had Alejandro Garnacho’s goal-bound strike not struck an offside Joshua Zirkzee on the line, causing it to be disallowed by VAR.
A point wouldn’t have been the worst result but United just couldn’t see the game out, once again highlighted United’s need for improvements.
Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United latest
United still need to improve Erik ten Hag’s midfield options.
Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo need more competition in the middle with mobility and defensive quality still required.
United are now set to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli and the plan is to bring in Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ugarte has been a key target all summer and McTominay’s exit is expected to help fund the move.
Fabrizio Romano now claims that Ugarte is ‘ready to travel’ to finalise his move to Old Trafford.
Romano reports that McTominay’s move will now allow United to secure Ugarte – and it will be permanently rather than on loan.
PSG had been open to loaning Ugarte but on the basis that United commit to a permanent deal next summer.
United always preferred to sign Ugarte permanently straight away though and that now looks set to happen with McTominay on his way out.
What are United signing in Ugarte?
This is a major boost for United and the hope is that Ugarte will now be signed up well in advance of Friday’s transfer deadline.
Ugarte joined PSG from Sporting last summer and earned rave reviews early into his time in the French capital.
Boss Luis Enrique hailed Ugarte as ‘wonderful’, praising his ability both on and off the ball.
Ugarte ended up being in and out of the PSG side and has now seen them sign a new midfielder in Joao Neves.
Ugarte was a real defensive monster at Sporting and even for Uruguay at Copa America, racking up tackles and interceptions in a holding midfield role.
PSG teammate Lucas Hernandez has compared Ugarte to N’Golo Kante, as quoted by Sky Sports, with his all-action style catching the eye.
Ugarte’s former Fenix boss Juan Ramon Carrasco even told El Pais that Ugarte has ‘seven lungs’ and ‘never stops’ running, which is exactly what United need right now.
Add in that Ugarte is still only 23 and United may find that Ugarte plays a key role in the engine room for a long, long time.
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