Although he only stayed one season in Paris, Manuel Ugarte had nevertheless left his mark on the minds of PSG supporters with a thunderous debut in 2023, to the point of being quickly identified as a profile capable of embodying the balance and intensity of the Parisian environment, in the tradition of Thiago Motta. Losing confidence then under the leadership of Luis Enrique, the Uruguayan no longer entered into PSG’s plans and thus joined Manchester United for around 50 million euros. The Montevideo native initially followed a trajectory relatively consistent with the expectations of the Red Devils staff, particularly under Rúben Amorim, who already knew him from Sporting. The 2024-2025 season had also suggested a real integration into the rotation, with a role of recovery midfielder considered valuable in the balance of the team. At this time, Ugarte seemed to have taken a lasting place in the Mancunian project, having started 36 times. But this dynamic has gradually been reversed, until it has clearly eroded over time.
This season, his influence has declined considerably, to the point of becoming a rotation player, sometimes even relegated to the rank of simple substitute without guarantee of entry into play. In a squad which has nevertheless regained stability and results in recent times, Ugarte has not managed to settle down permanently. With only 24 matches played in all competitions, including 10 small starts, the Uruguayan midfielder has failed to establish himself as an essential option. The factor that changed everything for him? The arrival of Michael Carrick on the bench of Manchester United, even that was already turning into a nightmare for him at the end of the Amorim era. Indeed, this arrival accentuated its decline, with a repositioning of internal hierarchies and especially the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, once again becoming a central piece of the midfield. In this context, Ugarte was relegated to a secondary role, sometimes even outside the plans for major meetings.
A departure from Manchester United almost inevitable
And paradoxically, while Manchester United today displays a generally more stable dynamic under the direction of Michael Carrick, the role of Manuel Ugarte has never been a central lever of this progression. The announced departure of Casemiro, which nevertheless seemed to offer him a clearer perspective for next season, does not fundamentally change the situation: internally, his situation remains fragile, especially as the sports management, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is preparing according to The Athletic a significant overhaul of the midfield with several targeted recruitments.
Indeed, the co-owner of Manchester United recently attended a meeting at Old Trafford without being convinced by the Uruguayan midfielder’s performance. In this context, a sale this summer cannot be ruled out, quite the contrary: Ratcliffe would even actively like a departure. Several Premier League clubs are following the matter closely, including Newcastle, who would see in him a defensive profile capable of structuring their environment, particularly in the event of uncertainty around the future of Sandro Tonali. Manchester United would also be open to offers of between 35 and 40 million pounds (or around 40 to 47 million euros), confirming that its future at Old Trafford is now largely in question…
A final sprint and the 2026 World Cup to reshuffle the cards?
However, Manchester United’s final sprint could still serve as a launching pad for Manuel Ugarte. In an extremely tight Champions League race, the Red Devils currently occupy 3rd place with 61 points, just ahead of Liverpool (58 points), and this Sunday’s clash between the two rivals promises to be decisive. For Ugarte, entering into such a meeting could weigh heavily on the perception of his role, especially if he manages to meet the intensity and expectations of a particularly demanding public in this type of confrontation. Clearly, this “North-West Derby” will be decisive for him, if he plays…
Every minute of the final sprint can count in trying to relaunch individual dynamics, even at the margins. But beyond the end of MU’s season, it is rather the 2026 World Cup which could represent a major turning point in its career. A member of the Uruguayan selection, often associated with Federico Valverde in the midfield, Ugarte approaches this meeting with a much more stable status than at club. A notable performance at the World Cup could either completely revive its market value or push Manchester United to reassess its future in a constantly evolving project. Conversely, a season without a trigger would confirm an already fragile dynamic since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, where his promising debut in 2023 now seems to belong to another time.
