Winners and losers of Manuel Ugarte joining Man Utd

Cameron Smith

30 Aug 2024 21:50 BST
4 min read

Manuel Ugarte, Man Utd, PSG, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United have finalised a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

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The Uruguay international was Man Utd’s primary midfield target for the past few months and they have finally secured him shortly before the deadline.

Ugarte, 23, was not in Luis Enrique’s plans at PSG, following the arrival of Joao Neves from Benfica, and he has sealed a dream move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils initially planned on offering a loan deal with an obligation to buy, but after the sales of Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri, they were in a position to make a permanent offer worth €50 million plus €10m in add-ons.

So, who will be the winners and losers from the move?

Winner - Luis Enrique

Enrique’s style of play simply didn't suit Ugarte’s all-action attributes and his debut season at the Parc des Princes saw him drop out of the starting XI in 2024.

With Neves arriving and Ugarte out, Enrique has been provided with the perfect midfield swap and it should allow him to enjoy a successful second season in Paris.

Loser - Casemiro

Ugarte’s arrival at Man Utd is set to signal the end of Casemiro’s time as a guaranteed starter at Old Trafford.

Although the Brazilian’s form appears to have improved after a dismal 2023-24 campaign, Ugarte is not arriving to play back-up and he will displace Casemiro. As a result, the ex-Real Madrid star may be restricted to late cameos in the Premier League.

Winner - Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo shone during his first season in Man Utd’s senior team and his form earned him a call-up for England’s Euro 2024 squad.

However, he certainly suffered next to Casemiro last campaign, with the Brazilian’s lack of speed ensuring Mainoo was sometimes over-exposed in the middle of the park.

Ugarte, and his aggressive defensive style of play, will aid the Englishman and enable Mainoo to display his ability in the final-third.

Loser - Scott McTominay

Ugarte's arrival has heralded the departure of Scott McTominay from his boyhood club after 22 years.

The €30m Man Utd secured from his move to Napoli went a long way towards securing Ugarte, but it was a bittersweet exit.

Even Erik ten Hag publically bemoaned the sale despite mostly just using McTominay as a substitute.

Winner - Joao Neves

PSG’s big-money signing Joao Neves will be given a starring role at the Parc des Princes thanks to Ugarte’s departure.

Although Enrique would have favoured the Portuguese midfielder anyway, he may well have been pressured to utilise Ugarte in order to maintain his transfer value.

That won’t be the case now, and Neves will benefit.