After really scraping the barrel over the last 18 months or so, it finally all seems to be coming up Manchester United. The club have sealed a return to the Champions League, have cantered to a strong Premier League finish under Michael Carrick and the mood is, for once, good going into the close season.

There’s no time for self-congratulation and early finishes, however, as the groundwork for next season must already have started. United have a formidable job on their hands to reset their squad ahead of a pivotal campaign that, all of a sudden, could feasibly deliver a trophy if all goes to plan.

Here is a vision of a perfect transfer window, the latest in The Peoples Person’s series of thoughts on how the club can best prepare for success over the summer:

OUTGOINGS

Manuel Ugarte

Things have simply failed to work out for Manuel Ugarte at Old Trafford, and Ruben Amorim was right to be left stunned by the Uruguayan’s regression since joining United.

It is obviously time for the Red Devils to cut their losses while they can still claw back some of what they spent on the midfield liability who has proven himself totally unable to deputise for, much less replace, Casemiro in United’s engine room.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another figure to unceremoniously flop at United, Joshua Zirkzee can at least hold his head up and say he tried. The Dutchman’s return of nine goals in 73 appearances for the club is nowhere near good enough for a striker and while there are mitigating circumstances to an extent – many of those appearances would have been sub-ten-minute cameos and he views himself as a “9.5” rather a standard centre-forward – he is a saleable asset who must be sold.

Andre Onana

A potentially less saleable one is Andre Onana, whose giant wages and basic lack of quality between the posts will make him a difficult player to shift. Reports have swirled around that he fancies himself for the number 1 spot next season, but United would be mad to even entertain such an idea and a way has to be found to move the Cameroonian goalkeeper on, even if on another underwhelming loan.

Marcus Rashford

Some loans are better than others and Marcus Rashford’s spell with Barcelona has yielded a deeply impressive 14 goals and 14 assists, not to mention a league title. Logic would suggest that the Spanish side leap at their option to sign him permanently for just £26m, but that’s not necessarily how they operate.

If Barca bewilderingly pass on a player who has demonstrated his quality for them, United must still look to sell him elsewhere as his time at Old Trafford has certainly come to an end.

Diogo Dalot

Grudgingly, you have to admit that Diogo Dalot¡ has had a decent season for United this time around. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is generally a study in mediocrity, playing with a low football IQ in and out of possession. If a suitor can be found, the Red Devils should certainly look to move on their right-back albatross and bring in fresh blood to revitalise a stale position.

INCOMING

Aurelien Tchouameni

United’s capture of Casemiro from Real Madrid four years ago turned out to be an inspired piece of business, and the club should return to the Bernabeu to sign Aurelien Tchouameni as his successor. The 26-year-old is in his prime and provides the grit and guile on the ball that Michael Carrick will need.

His extraordinary altercation with teammate Federico Valverde has left a huge question mark over his situation at Real; the toxicity seems to have stemmed from Valverde rather than the Frenchman, and United should swoop in and secure a blockbuster signing.

Mateus Fernandes

West Ham are on the brink of relegation but regardless of which division they play in next season they will surely be without Mateus Fernandes, and United must win the race for his signature.

The versatile and talented midfielder is exactly what the Red Devils need to compete with and complement Kobbie Mainoo in the centre of the park, and at just 21 years old with Premier League experience is as close to the perfect signing as INEOS can hope to get.

Leon Goretzka

Losing Casemiro is so much more than just losing a capable body on the pitch. The Brazilian has seen it all, done it all and won most of it, and the loss of his experience will be huge. Leon Goretzka is calling time on a phenomenally successful stint at Bayern Munich this summer and will be available for free – an opportunity United can’t afford to pass up.

The 31-year-old still has some life in him and even if he is not what he once was on the pitch, the knowledge and expertise he has gained from winning seven league titles and a Champions League with the Bavarian giants can only help the United dressing room.

Danny Welbeck

Football loves romance but it also loves goals, and a return to Old Trafford for Danny Welbeck could tick both of those boxes. The 35-year-old is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career, but that hasn’t stopped him plundering 14 goals in all competitions this season, including one at Old Trafford when United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2.

A short-term contract for Welbeck would take the burden off Benjamin Sesko, who has shown huge potential but also considerable rawness in his debut campaign at United, and the veteran striker would be an ideal figure to learn from. It shouldn’t be an expensive deal, and is starting to edge into no-brainer territory.

Daniel Munoz

Various dominoes may have to fall to make it feasible, but should United engineer an opening at right-back then Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz should be right at the top of their wishlist. The Columbian has that precious Premier League experience, and at 29 years old knows exactly what he’s about and should hit the ground running. Not necessarily an exciting transfer, but a potentially transformative one.

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Galatasaray are ramping up their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte after receiving the green light from the Manchester United midfielder, according to a new report from Türkiye.

The Engine Room

In their first summer window in charge at Old Trafford, INEOS focused on upgrading the defence, while the second centred around fixing the misfiring attack. Now, in their third, the hierarchy are intent on a complete revamp in midfield.

Despite a resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick, Casemiro will leave at the end of the season when his contract expires. There was an option to trigger a one-year extension, but both the player and club decided against it.

The Brazilian behemoth’s departure will leave such a hole that United plan to sign two midfielders to properly replace him. The primary target is Elliot Anderson, while other Premier League-proven operators like Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are also under consideration.

But there is a growing sense that a third signing must arrive, as Ugarte has proven to be woefully short of the requisite standard since his big-money switch from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.

However, the outstanding book value on the initial £42m deal with the Ligue 1 champions is such that United will only be able to fund a replacement if the Uruguay international is first sold.

Galatasaray Make Their Move

Galatasaray first expressed interest in Ugarte during the winter window, but United were reluctant to weaken the squad, particularly in midfield, mid-season. Nonetheless, the Süper Lig champions, confirmed as winners for the fourth successive campaign last weekend, have not given up hope of striking a deal.

A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed contact between both parties has been maintained since January, with Ugarte understood to have given his “green light” to a move to Istanbul.

Turkish outlet Fotomac now reveals Galatasaray have opened club-to-club talks with United.

The report states a loan deal could be included in discussions, with the Red Devils understood to value the Montevideo native at the £26m mark. If he left for less than this, the sale would count as a negative PSR hit.

Final Thoughts

Arguably, Ugarte’s departure is as vital a piece of business as any for United this season. The effect his presence on the pitch has on the team’s performance, in comparison to Casemiro or Kobbie Mainoo for example, is stark.

If United want to compete effectively on four fronts next season, with a return to the Champions League in the bag, three midfielders are needed to bolster a unit where Mainoo is the only viable option at present.

But to fund this overhaul, a deal will need to be struck to send Ugarte to Türkiye, explaining why Galatasaray’s decision to open talks is such an important step.

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Manuel Ugarte has given his green light to Galatasaray as the Turkish giant looks to strike a deal with Manchester United, according to a new report.

Expensive Mistake

INEOS are prepared to admit their mistake with Ugarte after yet another abject season in a red shirt.

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for £50.7 million in 2024, the 25-year-old enforcer was intended to be the long-term successor to Casemiro at the heart of United’s midfield.

But a complete absence of technical quality has been horribly exposed by the physicality of Premier League football, with Ugarte unable to impose himself on matches. This leaves the Uruguay international as a liability on the ball and ineffective without it – a damning indictment on the hierarchy’s decision to invest such a sum to secure him, considering how desperate Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique was to be rid.

While there is some competition from the misfiring Joshua Zirkzee, Ugarte is comfortably the worst signing of the INEOS era.

Man United's signings under INEOS - Ratings

Cutting Losses

It’s little wonder the Red Devils are prepared to sell this summer if a suitable offer arrives for the midfielder. The plan is to sign at least two new options, with a third arriving if Ugarte’s departure is sealed.

There is interest from Italy in the Montevideo native, while a number of clubs in England are also understood to be keeping tabs. But it is Galatasaray who are leading the charge after making contact in January to assess the viability of a deal.

Turkish outlet Fanatik reveals the Süper Lig champions, who retained their title for the fourth successive year on the weekend, have “renewed negotiations” to sign Ugarte. The Lions have “begun exploring the possibility of an agreement” after the player “gave the green light” to a switch to Istanbul.

“Galatasaray officials have encountered no problems in their discussions with the 25-year-old player and are now waiting for United to determine the transfer fee. If the demand is too high, a loan deal will also be considered,” the report states.

Well-placed sources at the RAMS Stadium indicate a move for Ugarte “seems to be the closest to completion” out of the various targets Galatasaray want to sign.

Final Thoughts

United need to sell Ugarte for a minimum fee of £25 million to avoid incurring a negative PSR hit. And while Galatasaray have cash to burn, it remains to be seen whether they are willing to stump up this amount for a player so desperately out of form with no long-term future at Old Trafford.

A more likely scenario may be a loan with an obligation clause, such as the one agreed with Napoli for Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund last year that is set to pay dividends this summer. This would allow United to avoid a loss, while helping Galatasaray spread their funds more evenly.

Either way, fans will be celebrating the exit of one of the club’s worst signings in recent memory, especially if it helps funds an upgrade to arrive in his place – such as Brazilian dynamo Ederson from Atalanta.

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Manchester United have all but secured third place in the Premier League this season.

In spite of the significant improvements this season, the Red Devils will be aiming for a major transfer window this summer.

The Peoples Person is preparing for a busy summer and suggesting which moves would best equip United for a challenge in the Premier League and Champions League.

Outgoings

1) Andre Onana

The Cameroonian has performed quite well on loan at Trabzonspor, but he has no future at Old Trafford. Senne Lammens has made the number one shirt his own, and Onana is too expensive to keep as a back-up goalkeeper.

2) Manuel Ugarte

The Uruguay international has been a huge disappointment at United and is simply not good enough for English football. He has never looked capable of matching the physicality of the league and is nowhere near good enough on the ball for a club like Manchester United.

3) Joshua Zirkzee

The Dutchman clearly has talent and is capable of playing some beautiful football on his day. Nonetheless, he needs to play in slow motion and is not a goalscorer. These are two reasons he will never make it at United.

4) Lisandro Martinez

Perhaps this is a controversial opinion, as Martinez has certainly played well for United since his move to Old Trafford in 2022. The problem with the defender is that he cannot stay fit, and there is no reason to believe that this will suddenly change as he gets older.

5) Mason Mount

Mount is clearly a good player and can knit play together well. Nonetheless, he lacks the X factor that a United number seven should possess and cannot stay fit for any significant length of time. Therefore, he is a prime candidate to sell this summer.

Incomings

1) Carlos Baleba

United need to improve their midfield and Baleba is a long-term target for the Red Devils. It is true he has not had the best of seasons, but his talent is undeniable. What’s more, his physicality and ability to drive forward with the ball would be incredibly helpful to this United side.

2) Mateus Fernandes

Ineos have prioritised Premier League-proven players and Fernandes certainly fits the bill. In spite of West Ham United’s poor form, the Portuguese midfielder has been one of the top-performing midfielders in the league and would certainly add much to the Red Devils’ engine room.

3) El Hadji Malick Diouf

The Senegalese left-back would also be a fine addition from West Ham. His attacking ability and crossing prowess would massively benefit Benjamin Sesko and unlock his aerial ability in a way United have been unable to achieve this season.

4) Iliman Ndiaye

Ndiaye would be another strong addition from the Premier League. The Everton winger would add trickery and directness to United’s left wing and be an able back-up to Matheus Cunha.

5) Shea Charles

The Southampton midfielder could be a low-risk gamble, especially if the Saints fail to gain promotion to the Premier League. The youngster has already captained Northern Ireland and is an all-round midfielder who has the capacity to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League if he continues on his impressive trajectory.

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Sunderland were, by far, the better team and were kept at bay by Senne Lammens single-handedly at times.

Fringe stars like Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee disappointed while Amad’s downward spiral continued.

Michael Carrick made a couple of surprising calls, none more so than playing Mount alongside Kobbie Mainoo, while both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte missed out.

Manuel Ugarte injury fear

As revealed by the caretaker head coach to MUTV, the Brazilian’s issue is not too serious, while the Uruguayan picked up a back injury during training.

“Case, he’ll be fine for next week, it’s nothing major. Manu had a problem with his back in training, so that’s the issues ironed out.”

With Carrick open to handing minutes to underutilised stars, this was the perfect opportunity for the 25-year-old to try and impress. But his injury comes at the worst possible time.

Whether the Uruguayan’s injury is a serious one remains to be seen. He has started only once under Carrick, the 1-2 defeat to Leeds.

The former Paris Saint-Germain ace has been one of the most disappointing signings in recent history, and INEOS are looking to offload him amid interest from Turkiye, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Injury crisis

Should their valuation not be met, Manuel Ugarte could be kept on as fourth-choice midfielder, with the Red Devils expected to sign as many as three midfielders in the summer.

Another injury concern is that of Benjamin Sesko. He was subbed off at half-time against Liverpool and failed to make the trip to Sunderland despite rumours of him shaking off his knock.

On the Slovenian, Carrick said, “Ben’s been carrying a shin problem for some time and he took quite a big bang on it, obviously had to come off last week. So, he wasn’t ready today.”

Luke Shaw, who started the draw against the Black Cats, was also spotted limping heavily as he left the ground. This is more cause for concern for the head coach.

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Multiple signings are expected, especially in midfield, where Casemiro is set to depart once his current deal concludes at the end of the season.

Manuel Ugarte is another midfielder INEOS are keen to offload, with the Uruguayan struggling to impose himself in England since his ill-fated £50.75 million move from Paris Saint-Germain two seasons ago.

However, the Red Devils are aware that they are unlikely to recoup anything close to what they paid, considering the 25-year-old’s underwhelming displays.

Manuel Ugarte value has tanked

There is interest from Turkey, Italy, and the Netherlands, but the 20-time English league champions would prefer to do a deal on the low so as to avoid his value tanking further.

Should they actively offer the Uruguay international to suitors, it is likely he would fetch a lower sum than expected.

INEOS would need to sell the former Sporting CP ace for at least £25.26 million to avoid a loss under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

Should the South American’s sale not fetch as much initially, with Juventus preferring a loan deal, United are even prepared to keep Manuel Ugarte as their fourth-choice midfielder in the new season, as per The Sun.

United’s surprise plans come to light

“MANCHESTER UNITED want to sell Manuel Ugarte in an effort to bring in a third midfielder. United figures are reluctant to actively hawk Ugarte around so that his value does not decrease.

“But well-placed sources have confirmed United’s preference is to sell Ugarte less than two years after he arrived in a £50.75million deal.

“United are targeting two central midfield signings, with Casemiro due to be released, and are prepared to finance a third if they can offload Ugarte.

“United are prepared to head into next season with Ugarte as their fourth-choice midfielder if they cannot get him off the books.”

Will Manuel Ugarte accept?

Manuel Ugarte might not warm to the idea, as he would like regular minutes after having earned a solitary start under Michael Carrick.

If United do end up signing more than one midfielder in the summer, his fortunes are unlikely to change, especially if the current caretaker head coach is made permanent by the club’s co-owners.

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Manchester United are set to “double down” on last year’s strategy when approaching the transfer window this summer, with a host of the club’s rivals braced for raids for their best players.

Buying Local

Under the combined stewardship of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, the 2024/25 season produced United’s worst campaign in the Premier League era. A scarcely believable 15th-placed finish was matched by disappointing exits from the cup competitions, culminating in the abject defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao.

INEOS’ diagnosis for their sickly patient was a misfiring forward line, rather than the inept Portuguese surgeon at the helm. Only four sides — Everton and the three relegated sides, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton — scored fewer league goals than United as justification for this choice.

The solution was to target the best attacking talent not already plying their trade for one of England’s top sides. This led to the signings of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, who were both coming off the best seasons of their careers.

Their combined fees cost over £130 million once add-ons are included, with the infamous Premier League tax rearing its ugly head. But the logic was that neither would need time to adapt to the cut and thrust of Europe’s most demanding division — and this plug-and-play quality will never be cheap.

Fast forward 11 months and United have secured a return to Champions League football with three games to spare, scoring the third most goals in the process, just four behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Both Cunha and Mbeumo have scored nine times apiece, with the Brazilian assisting four and his Cameroonian teammate three. They have both had large spells of poor form, though there has rarely been overlap, as Mbeumo started red-hot and faded, while Cunha has enjoyed a stellar second half of the season.

The glaring omission from this analysis is Benjamin Sesko, the third member of the attacking trident signed last summer. The 6’5″ Slovenian, captured from RB Leipzig for £73m, is United’s top scorer with 11, but endured a very slow start to life at Old Trafford.

This was seen as “noticeable” and the Premier League’s growing emphasis on duels, transitions and set-pieces has “reinforced the idea that there is an advantage to signing players with that experience,” as per The Manchester Evening News

Rivals on Notice

INEOS’ first window at the helm in 2024 saw three defenders — Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui — signed for over £100m. Their second last year saw an outlay of over £200m on three forwards.

This summer’s focus will be fixing the stalling engine room, with at least two — but potentially three — midfielders expected to arrive, depending on departures. Casemiro will leave a massive void once the Brazil international’s contract expires in June, while the abject form of Manuel Ugarte means the club are now ready to replace the 25-year-old Uruguayan.

The primary targets are all aligned with the ‘Buying Local’ mantra: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace). Alternatives such as Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes are under consideration as well.

However, reinforcements are also expected on the left-hand side of the pitch, with both full-backs and wingers in the crosshairs.

Aston Villa talisman Morgan Rogers is a leading candidate on the wing, who can invert to provide a long-term successor for Bruno Fernandes. Further back, a pair of English left-backs — Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Miles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) — are understood to be the main options to provide competition to Luke Shaw.

The Manchester Evening News contends United’s intent to sign Premier League-proven operators has put their “rivals on notice that they are coming for their stars.” But given how many players are needed, and how expensive the market is in England, is this the correct approach?

Dining Alfresco

The financial hegemony English football enjoys over its continental rivals is almost unparalleled — and continues to grow by the season. It was the main driver behind the ill-advised European Super League and explains why the Europa League was won by a Premier League side battling relegation for two seasons in a row.

The long-term implications of this disparity are not healthy; competition is the basis for sport and, increasingly, a top side in Italy cannot compete with a bottom five side in England. But the immediate consequence does offer United the chance to get more bang for their buck in the market this summer.

Just take a look at last year’s strongest signings for each member of the top five (Aston Villa bought terribly across the board):

• Arsenal – Martin Zubimendi, signed from Real Sociedad (LaLiga)
• Manchester City – Rayan Cherki, signed from Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1)
• Liverpool – Hugo Ekitike, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
• Aston Villa – Douglas Luiz, signed from Juventus (Serie A)

And United’s best piece of business was not even one of their big-money forwards; rather, it was Senne Lammens, an under-the-radar 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper bought from Royal Antwerp for just £18.1m.

Man United's signings under INEOS - Ratings

From the long list of transfers by English clubs last summer, Cherki and Lammens are the two standout options in terms of value for money alongside Sunderland’s superb signing of Bayer Leverkusen enforcer Granit Xhaka.

The fact that City had a free run at Cherki, second only to Fernandes for assists, is as staggering as the £34m deal they were able to strike for his services. When you compare it to the prices United paid for Cunha and Mbeumo, or Newcastle forked out for Anthony Elanga and Arsenal paid for Noni Madueke, the idea of focusing on ‘Buying Local’ resembles more an extension of Brexit than a sound governing policy.

Another important point to note is how perilously close United came to making one of the window’s worst signings the form of Liam Delap. Advanced negotiations were held in June for the 23-year-old striker after a strong campaign for Ipswich Town and a favourable £30m release clause.

It is understood that INEOS were convinced the England under-21 international had chosen Old Trafford ahead of other suits, only for him to rebuff their offer in favour of joining Chelsea. But, as any Blues fan will tell you, United have emerged as the real winners from this deal as the rejection led to a pivot towards pursuing Sesko.

Had the ‘Buy Local’ policy held true Delap’s dismal displays would be stinking up the Theatre of Dreams while Sesko’s scintillating showings would most likely be coming at St James’ Park after United fended off Newcastle to secure his signature.

Final Thoughts

There is undoubted logic in targeting players with Premier League pedigree, particularly in a position as physically demanding as central midfield. Sir Alex Ferguson would have moved heaven and earth to sign Declan Rice, with Anderson looking like the next iteration of this all-action dynamo.

A price point of £125m has been floated for the Nottingham Forest talisman, however, while a target like Aurelien Tchouameni is valued in the £70-80m range. The Manchester Evening News does contend United are considering the Real Madrid star as well as RB Leizpig speedster Yan Diomande and Eintracht Frankfurt fullback Nathaniel Brown.

But the report concludes the the “switch in strategy towards Premier League-proven players is set to continue” with those domestic targets the ones the “recruitment team [will] continue to prioritise.”

Nonetheless, the war chest this summer will not be able to stretch to exclusively signing the best options on the English market. They will have to consider targets abroad if they want to strike enough deals to bolster the squad ahead of a return to Europe next season, whether they want to or not.

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Midfield rebuild

Heading into the upcoming window, United are expected to prioritise strengthening the middle of the park ahead of other areas of the pitch.

In January, Casemiro confirmed that he will depart Old Trafford at the end of the season, once his contract expires. His brilliant form under Michael Carrick has sparked calls for him to stay for at least another year but a U-turn is not expected at this stage.

There is also uncertainty over the future of Manuel Ugarte, whose time at United increasingly looks like it has come to an end. The Uruguayan has struggled to make an impact since making the switch from Paris Saint-Germain and there is a very good chance he will be moved on.

These two factors, combined with the need to find ideal partners for Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, only make United’s need for midfield signings more urgent.

United continue to be linked with a host of players including Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) and Ederson (Atalanta).

Sunday’s 3-2 win over Liverpool clinched Champions League football for United, securing a bigger transfer budget and making them a far more attractive option in the market.

According to the Daily Mail, United are prepared to fork out as much as £150million on midfielders alone.

Jaw-dropping investment

The news outlet claims that United are ready to spend up to £150million on three brand new midfielders.

“Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.”

“United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.”

“Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.”

Chris Wheeler explains that this is dependent on how much money is available, with United also keen on improving at left-wing, left-back, central defence and a back-up goalkeeper.

The 20-time English champions hope to generate more funds from the sales of Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana and Ugarte. Joshua Zirkzee could also be offloaded amidst his struggles for playing time.

In addition to Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are also set to be released as free agents.

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Manchester United’s pursuit of AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao is ramping up as intermediaries continue to work behind the scenes to sound out a deal, according to the latest report from Italy.

Cut-Price Deal

Despite a contract at the San Siro which contains a €175 million release clause, I Rossoneri are ready to slash their asking price for Leao this summer. With only two years remaining on his deal and growing concerns over clashes with the coaching staff, Milan want to cut ties with the 26-year-old forward as the relationship between both parties is on the “verge of breaking down.”

A report relayed by The Peoples Person claims an agreement could now be struck at the €70m mark, while a separate update revealed it may drop as low as €50m (£43m) to force an exit.

The Portugal international is one of the most gifted footballers in world football, possessing a potent pairing of physical and technical gifts that few of his competitors can even dream of. But he is yet to find the formula to apply his talents consistently, with question marks over attitude and application having plagued him throughout his career.

Luka Modric, his teammate in Milan and a player who knows what a world-class forward looks like, showered the 6’2 speedster with praise earlier in the season.

“Rafa is really amazing,” the 40-year-old Croatian midfielder said in October. “He’s an amazing talent, from outside when I used to watch him and now when I train with him, I see he is one of the best players in the world. The incredible thing is that he can still improve, it just depends on him.”

While there are valid concerns over Leao, a price tag of £43m for a forward with the profile and skillset to single-handedly devastate defences is one that will pique the curiosity of every top club in Europe – including the Red Devils.

United on the hunt

United are understood to be joined in the hunt by Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, while Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are also admirers. Industry sources describe Milan’s demand as being considered “excellent value by many elite clubs for a 26-year-old of Leao’s calibre in the current market.”

Gazzetta dello Sport confirms interest from Old Trafford, revealing an unnamed agent is working as an intermediary between the executive branch and the player’s camp. Club-to-club negotiations are yet to commence, but talks are expected to ramp up at the end of the season.

The Italian newspaper claims a swap deal is also in the works to further lower the price, with Milan retaining a long-standing interest in Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward has failed to settle in England and a return to Serie A is expected this summer.

Two other candidates on the chopping block are Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Rashford, as the Italian giant has been linked with both in recent windows.

The report states Zirkzee is the much more likely option, however, with fellow Italian outlet Calciomercato confirming United have held initial talks over the possibility of an exchange of forwards.

Final Thoughts

Stylistically, Leao is a perfect option on the left wing of a 4-2-3-1 system, which is expected to remain in place regardless of who is United’s head coach next season. If the club can strike a deal by including an unwanted player to lower the fee, it would help further mitigate the risks he poses from a behavioural and mentality perspective.

The Saudi Pro League has also been suggested as a possible destination for the Almada native, but he is said to only be interested in a switch to one of Europe’s elite. This offers further hope that the penny is dropping for a player whose value on the pitch is as high as he chooses it to be.

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Manuel Ugarte’s spell at Manchester United is likely to come to an end this summer. The Uruguayan midfielder arrived at the Theatre of Dreams under former manager Erik ten Hag’s watch, but he never managed to cement his place in the starting XI.

The Red Devils signed Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a possible replacement for Casemiro in the summer of 2024, following an underwhelming campaign from the Brazilian. Unfortunately, the 25 year old endured a tough debut campaign, with the entire team struggling under the Dutch manager.

The Premier League giants opted to replace Ten Hag with Ruben Amorim in November that year, and one would have assumed that the Portuguese head coach’s arrival would have sprung Ugarte back into life. The two of them had previously worked together during time time at Sporting. However, the Uruguayan never looked convincing under Amorim, who ultimately ended his turbulent 14-month spell at the Theatre of Dreams in January this year.

United appointed Michael Carrick as caretaker manager until the end of the season, and the decision has already been vindicated. The Red Devils have won nine of their 13 games under the Englishman, and sit third in the league table after 33 games. Unfortunately, Ugarte has failed to strike a chord under Carrick as well.

Ugarte’s run under Carrick

Ugarte was sporadically involved under Ruben Amorim earlier this season, thanks to a resurgent Casemiro. With the Brazilian continuing his stunning form under Carrick, the Uruguayan has been a peripheral figure of late.

Ugarte has appeared in seven of the Englishman’s 13 games in charge, all but one of which have come from the bench. His only start was the disastrous 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds United, where he partnered Casemiro in the middle of the park as Kobbie Mainoo missed the game due to injury.

The young English midfielder, who has been indispensable under Carrick, returned the following game, with the Uruguayan dropping to the bench. Mainoo was outstanding against Chelsea and Brentford, with United winning both games, while Ugarte watched on from the bench.

The Uruguayan has appeared 24 times in all competitions this season, only 10 of which have been starts.

Manuel Ugarte Stats: 2025/26 Season

His situation at the Theatre of Dreams remains fragile, with a previous report relayed by The Peoples Person suggesting that United are ready to cash in on him this summer. An update on the player’s future has now emerged.

United open to loan exit

According to Calciomercato, super-agent Jorge Mendes has already offered Ugarte’s services to Juventus. The report states: “According to information obtained by our editorial staff, Jorge Mendes has offered Ugarte to Juventus: the Bianconeri are looking to strengthen their midfield.”

The report goes on to state that United are open to a loan deal with a purchase option, adding: “For Manchester United, recouping the €45 million paid to PSG will certainly not be a walk in the park, despite Mendes’s skills in the transfer market.”

“That is why, in internal assessments, the possibility of loaning out Ugarte—perhaps for a substantial fee—with an option to buy has not been ruled out outright. This arrangement could present an attractive opportunity for Italian clubs, Juventus in particular.”

Final Thoughts

A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person states that Ugarte is open to a move to Serie A, while it has also been suggested that Juventus are willing to offer €40 million for the Uruguayan. However, a loan deal with a buy option may be a more realistic outcome in this saga.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

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