A quiet unease has settled over Manuel Ugarte’s time at Manchester United. The Uruguayan defensive midfielder, brought in with expectation, now finds himself potentially on the move just months after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain.
His struggles at Old Trafford haven’t been dramatic, but rather a consistent lack of impact. Ugarte hasn’t quite found a foothold in a team demanding both defensive solidity and creative impetus, leaving the club contemplating a shift in strategy for the January transfer window.
The possibility of a move to another club within the INEOS portfolio – Nice – has emerged as a potential solution. This internal transfer could facilitate both Ugarte’s departure and the arrival of a new midfielder better suited to United’s ambitions.
Financial considerations are also at play. Offloading Ugarte’s wages and recouping a transfer fee would provide crucial flexibility in the January market, allowing the club to pursue a more impactful signing in the defensive midfield position.
Interestingly, a similar pattern emerged during his time at PSG. Ugarte’s strengths – tenacious tackling and relentless work rate – weren’t fully utilized in a system prioritizing possession and attacking flair. He’s a player built to shield a defense, not necessarily dictate the tempo of a game.
A change of scenery could unlock Ugarte’s potential. A club like Nice, perhaps, would better appreciate his defensive qualities and build a system around his strengths, offering him a more natural fit than the demands of a top-tier Premier League side.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are clearly seeking a more complete midfielder. They need someone capable of not only breaking up play but also initiating attacks with intelligent passing and a commanding presence.
Players like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo represent the ideal profile – dynamic, defensively sound, and capable of influencing the game at both ends of the pitch. Finding such talent, however, is a notoriously difficult and expensive undertaking.
The situation highlights the complexities of squad building. Sometimes, a player’s qualities simply don’t align with a club’s philosophy or tactical requirements, leading to a parting of ways despite initial promise.
