Man Utd set to axe £50m signing after Michael Carrick makes transfer decision | Football | Sport

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be allowed to leave on loan or permanently this summer following a dismal stint at the club. The speculation surfaced after Michael Carrick opted to leave him out of the squad for their final Premier League match of the season at Brighton on Sunday despite Casemiro being ruled out.

Ugarte has struggled to make any meaningful impact at Old Trafford since his £50million move from Sporting in August 2024. Brought in under Erik ten Hag as a prospective successor to the ageing Casemiro, Ugarte has been unable to adapt to the rigours of English football’s top flight. He started in 10 matches this season, with United claiming victory in just one of those outings.

Those fixtures included embarrassing defeats to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and Leeds United in the Premier League, the latter representing only one of two losses under Carrick.

United’s then-interim manager came to Ugarte’s defence following the 2-1 defeat to Daniel Farke’s side in April, the Red Devils’ first home league loss to the Yorkshire club since 1981.

He said: “Since I’ve come in, and he’s played and come on, he’s been fine.

“I think tonight was a tough game, not just for Manu. It was one of those games when it was a tough night. I actually thought, especially when we went down to 10 men, that he did a lot of covering for other players to be able to attack.”

However, The Guardian reports that Ugarte’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, with the Red Devils poised to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

That acquisition is understood to be one of two further midfield signings planned for this summer — making Ugarte’s exit increasingly likely.

United’s main priority is to land an elite-level No. 6 to replace Casemiro, with Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali amongst the leading candidates for that role.

One player they appear destined to miss out on is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. It’s been reported that United have admitted defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City.

The Red Devils had earmarked the England international as one of their principal summer targets. Nevertheless, United’s hierarchy are unwilling to match the asking price of around £100m.

United are also aware that Anderson would prefer a switch to City over a move to Old Trafford. It is understood the Blues remain increasingly confident of securing Anderson’s signature, despite Pep Guardiola‘s recent departure.

Further midfielders being linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford include Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. United have also considered a surprise move for Alexis Mac Allister, though they are acutely aware that striking an agreement with Liverpool would be highly unlikely.