Manchester United isn’t an easy club to play for. Some players get it, others don’t. In recent years, too many have fallen into the second category.
Michael Carrick has a chance of landing the United job on a permanent basis, and he should certainly have a hand in recruitment, both in terms of deciding who should be signed and who should leave.
After all, he knows full well what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford and the personality that is demanded. One player who hasn’t settled since his £50m move from Paris Saint Germain is Manuel Ugarte. There were high hopes for the 24-year old but it is a struggle to remember any performance where he stood out and made everyone sit up and notice.
Manuel Ugarte could make Man United exit
With Carrick’s appointment, Kobbie Mainoo has been restored to the starting XI and pushed Ugarte even further down the pecking order with Turkish media outlet Habersarikirmizi suggesting that a move to Turkey could be on the cards.
Galatasaray’s vice-president Abdullah Kavukca has flown into England to hold talks about strengthening his team’s midfield and a deal for Ugarte could free up space for United to sign a more suitable option, even if only on loan for the rest of the season.
Not long after the window opened, the Uruguay international was reported to have agreed personal terms with Galatasaray. However, since the managerial change at Old Trafford these rumours have died down. Habersarikirmizi claimed that the Galatasaray VP was set to hold talks with United to get a deadline beating deal done.
It isn’t just Ugarte who is on the Turkish giant’s shortlist. Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva were also named in the report, however, neither deal has any real chance of getting done, unlike the move for Ugarte.
“Galatasaray will have a very serious transfer negotiation after the Manchester City match. They were going to sit at the table with Manchester United. Ugarte, could be Mainoo. I don’t think it will be Bruno Fernandes. I don’t think Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva either,” said Ertem Şener, writing for the media outlet.
Who United should sign to replace Ugarte
There have been reports that Ugarte might not be allowed to leave Old Trafford, but there is no point keeping him if he isn’t going to play week in, week out.
After all, there is no European football or mid-week games to worry about. What United should be doing is stealing a march on the summer transfer scramble that will see both Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton become two of the country’s most sought after players.
Not only has Ugarte shown nothing and should be moved on, but Casemiro has been announced as leaving United too.
Wharton could be some £40m cheaper than Anderson with the Crystal Palace midfielder reported to have a gentleman’s agreement with the club. If a team who has qualified for the Champions League comes in for him, a £60m fee will be enough to land the 21-year old.
United could easily strike this sort of deal now. A loan with an obligation to buy, to circumnavigate PSR issues would delay a permanent move and there could be clauses inserted depending on whether or not United make the Champions League. With Wharton in midfield and the way Carrick is going, who would back against them?
Wharton is set to be part of England’s World Cup squad after being part of Thomas Tuchel’s side for the November internationals.
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