Manuel Ugarte is likely seeing out his final seven matches as a Manchester United player before leaving in the summer.
It will see his Red Devils tenure come to an end after only two years.
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Manuel Ugarte: The state of play
Yet, in those two years, he’s had ample opportunities to prove why he should stay long-term, and he simply hasn’t done enough to impress INEOS chiefs.
Ugarte entering the field in recent months has frequently coincided with United either conceding a goal or losing control of the game – to the point fans already feel apprehensive when they see him warming up on the touchline.
#mufc have conceded 24 goals when Ugarte has been on the pitch this season. Reiterates need for at least two central midfielders in the summer. United already lack specialists in that area and will need sufficient quality and quantity when they’d hope to be back in Europe.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 1, 2026
Despite being hailed as a ‘midfield engine’ by his national team, the 24-year-old has fallen hugely out of favour this campaign, particularly since Michael Carrick took the reins in January and instantly restored Kobbie Mainoo to his rightful place alongside Casemiro.
Player
Appearances
Starts
Unused substitute
Minutes played
Ugarte
6
0
4
65
Mainoo
10
10
0
886
(How the players have fared under Carrick, courtesy of Transfermarkt)
Ugarte will be one of a few out-of-favour Reds to be sold
Ugarte, along with fellow wantaway Joshua Zirkzee, has felt the detrimental impact of United not having any European action to account for, as well as their early cup exits – there are simply not enough matches for fringe players to be playing regularly.
Although the Reds are hoping and expecting to secure their Champions League spot for next season and therefore bring in added depth throughout the summer window, the former Paris Saint-Germain star will not be retained.
He will be offloaded around the same time Casemiro will be released as a free agent, meaning more than one midfielder will be brought in to bolster the ranks at Old Trafford.
However, Ugarte won’t be short of interest when he is officially made available by United.
What one journalist is hearing about Ugarte’s suitors
“Ugarte is going to be the casualty of United’s midfield revamp, even with Casemiro departing. It’s clear that the best-case scenario is that he will be a squad player once United bring in midfielders and extend Mainoo’s contract,” revealed Ben Jacobs, via The United Stand.
“Ajax made an enquiry. There is interest from France, with Monaco [also] interested. Again, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will be there.”
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