Man Utd flop Ugarte ‘not even worth £10m’

Carlo Garganese

• 9 Oct 2024 12:00 BST
• 4 min read

Dutch legend Marco van Basten has issued a withering attack on Erik ten Hag’s decision to pay so much money for Manuel Ugarte.

Ugarte joined Man Utd this summer from PSG for an initial £42 million (€50m) but he has struggled badly to justify that fee in the early weeks of the season.

Former three-time Ballon d’Or winner and AC Milan and Netherlands striker Van Basten has slammed the transfer, saying the midfielder is not even worth a quarter of the outlay.

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What did Van Basten say?

"How on earth did Erik ten Hag decide to spend €50M for Ugarte? It's bizarre," Van Basten said.

When it was pointed out to Van Basten that he has only watched Ugarte play twice, Van Basten replied: "Yes, and I only needed those two games to see that he's not even worth 25% of that amount."

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The Uruguay international finally completed his move to Old Trafford on Transfer Deadline Day, with Man Utd paying an initial €50 million to secure his signature.

PSG were happy to offload Ugarte due to the arrival of Joao Neves from Benfica and they finally agreed a deal with Man Utd during the final week of the summer transfer window.

Ugarte at PSG

Ugarte signed for PSG for €60 million in the summer of 2023 from Sporting Lisbon as the Ligue 1 giants executed the clause in his contract.

Big things were expected of Ugarte, who was one of the most wanted central midfielders in Europe at the time.

However, the 23-year-old struggled to live up to the hype during his only season at PSG.

Despite making 37 appearances in all competitions and winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions, Ugarte never managed to lock down a regular starting spot.

Manager Luis Enrique considered him as not a perfect fit for his style of play, leading to PSG selling him in the summer of 2024.

Ugarte has made 23 appearances for the Uruguay national team, going to the 2022 World Cup and winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Copa America and also being named in that Team of the Tournament.