Manchester United are assessing options after deciding to back off from the pursuit of Manuel Ugarte.
Manchester United do not intend to pay Paris Saint-Germain’s asking price for Manuel Ugarte and will look at alternatives.
And, depending on your perspective, it’s either a sound financial decision or a pretty poor sporting one. In truth, the reality probably lies somewhere in the middle.
After years of being held over a barrel and being made to pay for overspending on countless players, Ineos’ desire to put an end to that so-called ‘Manchester United tax’ has created a new-look Red Devils side who will not be bullied in the market.
Ugarte, already out of favour at PSG and now even further down the pecking order following the arrival of ex-United target Joao Neves, always felt a little on the expensive side. £51 million for a footballer who would arrive having struggled pretty dramatically at another major European club.
On the other hand – rightly or wrongly – Ugarte was also Man United’s leading midfield target.
Walking away now, with less than a month of the window remaining and less than two weeks until the new Premier League season starts, put Erik ten Hag and co back to square one in their pursuit of much-needed midfield reinforcements.
Manchester United walk away from PSG’s Manuel Ugarte
The Athletic claim that United will now shift their focus to alternative targets.
But with those Youssouf Fofana links still a little on the tenuous side and Athletic Bilbao’s Martin Zubimendi set to cost a similar fee to Ugarte, there are not too many ‘alternatives’ that immediately spring to mind.
Reporter Ben Jacobs does, however, throw two names into the frame.
One of those – Joao Gomes – already has a proven track record in the Premier League. A year-and-a-half after joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Flamengo in his native Brazil, Gomes has blossomed into one of England’s most promising all-round operators.
‘Among the best in the world’ when it comes to ball recoveries – a former coach of his tells Premier League Brasil – Gomes was arguably the best player on the pitch as Wolves dominated Man United during the opening game of 2023/24 at Old Trafford.
The other on United’s radar, according to Jacobs, is one of Gomes’ Brazil international team-mates.
Andre Trindade would be a more left-field addition certainly. The 23-year-old represents Fluminense and has never played in Europe.
But Jacobs believes that Andre could be available for less than £30 million, thus making the 2023 Copa Libertadores champion one of the most affordable midfield options available to a Man United side who are not exactly drowning in cash.
Andre Trindade and Wolves’ Joao Gomes are options
Interestingly, a move to Man United would see Andre link up with his idol.
Speaking to Folha de Pernambuco last year, Fluminense’s number seven admitted that there are similarities between his own game and a younger Casemiro.
“It is very satisfying to be here always competing with the best, especially in the Brazilian team, which has the best (players) in the world,” Andre said.
“In recent years, Casemiro has been a top one player (in his position) in Europe. Playing in the best competitions. So it’s been a period of a lot of learning. I’m trying to learn a lot from him, from his movements, from his marking too, as he’s the player who most resembles me.”
Andre is also on Fulham’s radar, HITC understands. The Cottagers also remain keen on United’s own Scott McTominay.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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