Manchester United, the giant club of the English Premier League. Has reached an agreement to acquireUruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain , becoming the fifth new player for the “Red Devils” in the summer transfer market.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who is the latest addition to United’s squad following the arrivals of Leni Yoro, Joshua Seriksi, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazrawi. Is expected to be a key part of Erik ten Hag ‘s midfield this season.
Incredibly, Ugarte made his professional football debut at the age of 15 years and 233 days for his hometown club Fénix. Making him the youngest debutant in the Uruguayan league in the 21st century.
Ugarte’s form with Fénix was so impressive that he was handed the captaincy at the age of just 18. His form saw him sign for Portuguese side Famalicão in December 2020 and eight months later he made the leap to top club Sporting Lisbon.
Under coach Ruben Amorim at Sporting , Ugarte began to show his true potential and established himself as a strong holding midfielder, attracting the attention of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain before PSG snapped him up in 2023.
“He is a great signing and a player who has a lot to improve in both attack and defence,” PSG manager Luis Enrique said last year. “He is a young player with great character, which is very important for us.”
Ugarte made 37 appearances for the French champions last season – 25 in Ligue 1 and eight in the Champions League – but started just one game in the group stage before moving to United, where he failed to displace team-mate Vitinha, who was in impressive form.
“Manchester United are signing a young, solid midfielder, but his future has become uncertain in the second half of last season. However, if he can replicate the form he showed in his first two or three months at PSG, I think he can be a great player,” says Matt Spiro, a French pundit.
Ugarte has won 22 caps for Uruguay since making his international debut in September 2021 and was an unused substitute in three group stage games at the 2022 World Cup, but he was named in the Team of the Tournament at this summer’s Copa America after helping his side to a third-place finish.
Meanwhile, Ugarte is the fifth Uruguayan to play for United, following Diego Forlan, Guillermo Varela, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri, who recently joined Panathinaikos for around £6m.
Spiro added: “In terms of adapting to the Premier League, I believe Ugarte’s physicality and ability to read the game, to intercept the ball, will allow him to cope with English football and become a great player for Manchester United.”
Ugarte can play in a central midfield duo or as a lone defender, and if he can rediscover his best form, he could be a key piece in the Red Devils’ midfield as they chase success this season….