Manuel Ugarte, the sacrifice of Manchester United for January

The Uruguayan midfielder is not part of Manchester United's plans for the second half of the season.

Javier Parra Peña | 17 Dec 2025 | 22.30
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Manuel Ugarte, the sacrifice for Manchester United in January
Manuel Ugarte, the sacrifice for Manchester United in January

The winter market at Old Trafford promises to be one of the busiest in recent years following the arrival of the new coaching staff. Manchester United has decided to make drastic decisions to shape their squad according to the demands of Ruben Amorim for January and have opted to find an exit for Manuel Ugarte.

The top priority is to provide the midfield with a different dynamic, which involves opening the door for the exit of key players. In order to welcome new faces at the Theatre of Dreams, the board understands that it is imperative to lighten the current player roster, so they are seeking the departure of the Uruguayan midfielder.

The possible departure of Manuel Ugarte as the key to the market

The Uruguayan international has failed to establish himself in the British scheme after a season start marked by a lack of continuity and playing time. Manuel Ugarte, with just 359 minutes played in eleven matches, is on the verge of leaving to seek a prominent role in another European destination.

OGC Nice, a club with strong institutional ties through INEOS, emerges as the main candidate to receive the Uruguayan midfielder on loan. This move would allow Manchester United to free up a key spot and reduce the wage bill to make an immediate impact signing this winter. Amorim is looking for a specific profile that can fit into his characteristic double pivot and rotate with figures like Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte's situation reflects the urgency for changes in a midfield that has shown deficiencies in recent defensive transitions.

Manuel Ugarte, the sacrifice of Manchester United for January

The six options for Manchester United to revolutionize the double pivot

The sports management has a list of high-level candidates who fit the current needs for ball recovery and distribution. Names like Carlos Baleba, the gem of Brighton, or Adam Wharton, the talented playmaker of Crystal Palace, top the club's preferences. Within Manchester United, the experience of Conor Gallagher at Atlético de Madrid and the physical prowess of Eliott Anderson are also valued.

The option of bringing back Rubén Neves from Saudi football or betting on the versatility of other national assets is on the table. The aim is to find an ideal partner for Bruno Fernandes who brings balance and enables a much cleaner and vertical ball distribution.

A new brain for Ruben Amorim's tactical system

The Portuguese coach desires a player with great work rate but also possessing the necessary vision to break enemy lines with ease. The investment in the midfield is considered essential for Manchester United to climb positions in the overall Premier League table.

Negotiations are expected to intensify after the holiday period, aiming for the new reinforcement to join in the early days of the upcoming year. The departure of Manuel Ugarte would financially facilitate an operation that the red fans demand to balance a structure that has shown too many cracks.

The club seeks to avoid past mistakes and opts for profiles hungry for success who understand the importance of defending this historic crest. Everything points to a total transformation in the midfield, marking the definitive beginning of a sports project that allows no more unnecessary delays.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Manuel Ugarte, el sacrificado del Manchester United para enero