Manchester United are prepared to sell Manuel Ugarte this summer even if it means eating a significant loss on the transfer fee they paid to bring him in. That’s according to reports out of England, where the club’s midfield overhaul is picking up speed.
United dropped an initial £42.3 million to sign Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2024. The deal included add-ons that could have pushed the total higher. But less than two years later, the 25-year-old Uruguayan hasn’t come close to justifying that price tag.
He struggled to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality from the jump. And it showed in the numbers. Ugarte started just 10 matches across all competitions last season. By the second half of the campaign, manager Michael Carrick had settled on Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro as his go-to pair in the middle of the park. That left Ugarte watching from the bench more often than not.
The Financial Math Gets Tricky
So how much of a loss are we talking? United would need to get around £25.38 million to avoid a negative hit under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. They’re not expected to get that. The club believes it can absorb the deficit partly because last year’s £40 million sale of Alejandro Garnacho counted as pure profit on the books.
The real headache might be Ugarte’s wages. He’s on roughly £120,000 a week. That kind of salary isn’t a dealbreaker for the biggest clubs, but it can scare off mid-tier suitors who might otherwise take a flier on a player with something to prove.
Interest Is There, But No One’s Biting Yet
Galatasaray and AC Milan have both shown some interest. Neither has come close to matching what United wants. The club is trying to play it cool too — they don’t want to be seen openly shopping Ugarte because that would only drive his price down further. So there’s a real chance he stays as a squad option if nobody meets their number.
This is part of a bigger clear-out at Old Trafford. Casemiro already left when his contract ran out. Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have also moved on. Selling Ugarte would free up money and a roster spot for a third midfield signing to join Éderon and Mateus Fernandes.
Ugarte is currently at the World Cup with Uruguay. His tournament has been quiet so far — draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde don’t exactly scream “splash the cash.” But the transfer window is long, and United’s need to move bodies is real.
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