Manchester United are on the verge of a fifth first-team addition of the summer with Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte set to arrive.
The transfer deadline is drawing ever closer and Manchester United still have business to do.
Erik ten Hag has been able to strengthen his defence with three new signings whilst Joshua Zirkzee has arrived from Bologna in attack.
United now want to add a new midfielder – but only after two players depart Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay is poised to sign for Napoli whilst Hannibal Mejbri has undergone a medical with Burnley.
Those two exits should pave the way for a new signing and United’s top target is finally Manchester-bound.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Manuel Ugarte hints at Manchester United move
United have been chasing Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte for most of the summer.
This one has rumbled on for weeks but claims on Sunday suggested that Ugarte was ‘ready to travel’ and sign for United.
Claims on Tuesday morning suggested that Ugarte’s United medical is now imminent with a deal finally agreed.
United fans are excited by those claims and it seems that Ugarte feels the exact same way.
Ugarte has taken to social media to simply post the eyes emoji, hinting that a deal is indeed close.
United fans have been sent into a frenzy and bombarded Ugarte with messages after that post as the midfielder all but confirmed his move without even saying a word.
If there was any doubt then Facundo Pellistri – just sold by United to Panathinaikos – has supported his Uruguay teammate ahead of the move to Old Trafford.
Having allegedly been ‘crazy’ about the idea of joining United, Ugarte is on the verge of finalising his dream move.
What Ugarte has said about his style of play
United need legs in midfield and Ugarte certainly provides that.
A defensive midfielder who racks up tackles and interceptions for fun, Ugarte will hopefully bring the solidity United’s midfield needs.
Speaking in 2022, Ugarte suggested that he wants to play like Sergio Busquets in holding midfield.
Ugarte wants to ‘copy’ Busquets in terms of escaping the press and playing forward, all whilst admitting that he prefers to play in defensive midfield than as a number eight.
“In the national team, (I play) in a double pivot. And, at Sporting, I play more as a number six,” said Ugarte.
“But I have also played as number eight. These are the positions in which I feel most comfortable.
“In my position, (I idolise) Busquets. I try to copy the way he escapes the press with clean and targeted passes. I have to get better with my first touch. And I have to (be more aware of what is around me).
“If you do, you get a wider picture and that’s something fundamental,” he added.
That presence will hopefully free up Kobbie Mainoo to focus on going forward a little more with Ugarte’s defensive abilities the ideal addition to this United engine room.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
