Man United could offload £43m 'flop' who Gary Neville expects to leave amid Juventus claim
Gary Neville has predicted that the midfielder will leave in the summer transfer window.
Man United have a big issue in midfield, as they will be tasked with rebuilding their spine of the team for the next few years this summer. Kobbie Mainoo looks set to sign a new contract, but other than him, they have problems.
.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
Casemiro’s contract will expire in the summer, and the Brazilian has already announced that he’s leaving the club. He is currently in talks to join Inter Miami. Furthermore, Bruno Fernandes’ contract is set to expire in 2027, so his future is also uncertain.
On top of that, Manuel Ugarte has really struggled to make much of an impact at Old Trafford since he joined from PSG for £43m in 2024. He could also see a summer exit, amid reports from Italy.
Juventus eyeing move for Ugarte
It is understood that Ugarte is on Man United’s list of players to sell this summer, considering that he has really flopped at Old Trafford. The Uruguay international has made 68 appearances for United, scoring just two goals and providing six assists since he joined.
According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie A giants Juventus are keen to sign Ugarte in the summer. Juventus have reportedly been scouting Ugarte during the international break, and they are considering making a move for the 24-year-old in the summer. It’s a move that Man United would likely be willing to do because of his poor form since joining United.
Former Man United defender Gary Neville believes that Ugarte will leave the club in the summer. He said: "Casemiro is leaving, and Manuel Ugarte, I think, will leave.
“They need two really good central midfield players. Probably one that's more positional, like a Michael Carrick-type, and one that's more of a destroyer. I do think the back needs looking at, but the midfield would be the real focus in the summer transfer window."
Who will Man United replace Casemiro and Ugarte with?
Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Man United in the summer, and the Red Devils are expected to invest heavily in central midfield before the next transfer window.
Firstly, as Neville said, they need a more physical midfielder and a more technical player too. In terms of a more physical player, Carlos Baleba at Brighton stands out as a good option, as the Red Devils have been linked to him for several months.
Baleba is expected to cost around £70m, and is also set up to develop into a world-class midfielder, as he is just 21 years old.
Furthermore, Man United have been linked to Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali as a more technical midfielder. Tonali is expected to command a fee of around £100m in the summer, which won’t be an easy deal to complete, but there’s every chance that he could request to leave Newcastle should the Magpies fail to qualify for Europe this season.