Manchester United have agreed on personal terms with Manuel Ugarte as talks with Paris Saint-Germain continue for his transfer, so here is everything you need to know.
The Red Devils are striving to make Ugarte the latest fresh face to arrive at Old Trafford after Manchester United confirmed the transfers of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. Now that Ineos is at the helm, Manchester United are keen to gift Erik ten Hag the players he needs to build.
Ugarte is even one of the top names on the shopping list at Old Trafford, despite only joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. He emerged as a main target this summer with Ten Hag open to replacing Casemiro in his core. Talks are also progressing to bring Ugarte to Old Trafford.
Latest Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United transfer news
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United have agreed on personal terms with Ugarte while talks with PSG continue. The midfielder, who also shares an agent with Yoro in Jorge Mendes, is also prepared to move to Old Trafford without Champions League football.
An agreement is still needed between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, who are open to selling Ugarte. L’Equipe also reported in July that the Parc des Princes side informed the Red Devils amid their first approach that Ugarte was available to sign for €70m (£59m).
While Les Parisiens opened the door for his departure, they fixed their price tag in order to turn a profit. PSG refuse to record a loss on Ugarte but their asking price was more than the fee Manchester United had in mind to secure a transfer when they first opened discussions.
But who is Ugarte and why are Manchester United interested in his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain? Here is everything that you need to know about the midfielder in line for a move.
Who is Man United transfer target Manuel Ugarte?
Manchester United transfer target Manuel Ugarte is a professional football player for Paris Saint-Germain. He joined the Ligue 1 team from Sporting CP in July 2023 after Les Parisiens triggered a £52m release clause to beat interest from Chelsea in his transfer that summer.
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How old is Manuel Ugarte?
At the time of writing, Manuel Ugarte is 23 years old. He has been a professional footballer since his debut with CA Fenix at 15 years, seven months and 23 days old in December 2016.
Where and when was Manuel Ugarte born?
Manuel Ugarte was born in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, on April 11 in 2001. The city is now estimated to boast a rising population of just shy of 1.8 million residents in 2024.
How tall is Manuel Ugarte? What is his height in feet?
Standing at a height of 1.82 metres, Manuel Ugarte measures in at a height of 5 ft 11 in feet.
What position does Manuel Ugarte play?
Managers have predominantly played Ugarte in the position of defensive midfield. But he is also able to play as a central midfielder and has even, albeit sparingly, played at centre-half.
How good is Manuel Ugarte? What has been said about him?
Praise has often followed Manuel Ugarte throughout the Uruguay midfielder’s career to get transfer interest from Manchester United. He has regularly stood out for being a combative force within an engine room, capable of breaking up play with his tackles and interceptions.
Ugarte can hold down a midfield as the sole anchor as his reading of the game allows him to recover and cut off passes. His ability to interrupt attacks also often allows the player’s team to establish control in matches. Additionally, Ugarte is a tireless operator when on the pitch.
Luis Enrique also praised Ugarte from the off after the midfielder joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023. The Spanish coach noted, via Montevideo.com: “He was superb, wonderful. I loved him with the ball, I loved him off the ball and also what he did positionally.
“He gave us many chances to recover high pressure, he played with judgement, he carried the ball from one side to the other, he filtered passes and he was very powerful in physical duels. A 10 [out of 10] for Manu Ugarte.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who won the 1998 World Cup with France, also rates Ugarte very highly. The one-time Premier League champion said, via TEAMtalk, in July 2024: “Manuel Ugarte would be a great signing for Manchester United.
“Ugarte is mentally and physically strong as well as a holding midfielder who is ready to fight and I think he’s got the qualities to adapt himself to the Premier League.
“He could be a very important player for Manchester United because defensively they have been very weak for the last few years… He has a fighting spirit. This guy will never give up from the first minute until the last, he will give 100 per cent.”
Career stats of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte predominantly playing as a defensive midfielder has rarely seen the Uruguay international add goals or assists to his career senior stats, as of the end of the 23/24 term.
CA Fenix: 57 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist, 14 yellow cards, 2 second yellows, 0 red cards
FC Famalicao: 21 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 yellows, 0 second yellows, 1 red
Sporting CP: 85 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists, 22 yellows, 1 second yellow, 0 reds
PSG: 37 appearances, 0 goals, 3 assists, 7 yellows, 0 second yellows, 0 reds