Manuel Ugarte Joins Manchester United After PSG Disappointment

This summer, Manuel Ugarte made a significant move to Manchester United after being overlooked in the tactical plans of Luis Enrique. The 23-year-old Uruguayan, who joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last year, started his tenure with promise. However, his situation deteriorated, leading to his transfer during the recent transfer window. His case was under review by several clubs, but ultimately, Manchester United emerged as the top priority in the market.

The PSG saga surrounding Manuel Ugarte unfolded throughout the summer. Initially, the former Sporting Portugal player seemed to be fitting in well at the Parisian club, yet it became clear that Luis Enrique never intended to utilize him effectively. Manchester United made their intentions known, positioning themselves as the most viable option. In fact, the club had no real interest in Frenkie De Jong, who was never a significant target.

Ugarte, the true priority for Manchester United

Manchester United has been following Frenkie De Jong for years, but the Dutch midfielder will remain with FC Barcelona for now. He was initially seen as a solid option for the English club, but they ultimately chose Manuel Ugarte instead. “I believe the Catalan club wants to discuss renewing his contract, which runs until 2026, and will seek to lower his salary. We will see how negotiations unfold for him. This summer, Manchester United was never a real option for De Jong, as they had set their sights on Manuel Ugarte,” explained Fabrizio Romano for CaughtOffside. Indeed, the Uruguayan was the sole focus.

De Jong, an unconvincing option

Although Frenkie De Jong was linked with Manchester United, other clubs also expressed interest in him. However, pursuing a deal for an injured player proved challenging. “At the start of the transfer market, it is true that Bayern Munich had Frenkie de Jong on their shortlist, but initial contacts did not lead to any serious negotiations between the two parties. It’s also clear that his ankle injury relapse affected his transfer prospects away from Barcelona this summer, but the Dutchman’s goal now is to return to play and perform at his best for Barcelona,” continued the transfer market expert.