Man Utd changed direction 100 million pounds, Ugarte was pushed to the edge
Ruben Amorim temporarily closes Bruno Fernandes - Casemiro 5 unbeaten Premier League matches, while Man Utd prepares to spend big in January and aims for Carlos Baleba.
A £100m move is reshaping Manchester United’s midfield. And the man directly affected is Manuel Ugarte – a midfielder who was expected to join from PSG for around £50m in 2024, but now faces the risk of being left out of the plans.
The £100m plan and a message to Ugarte
Man Utd are stepping up their efforts to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window. The club have approached Nottingham Forest about Elliot Anderson, with Forest asking for around £100m – a figure that shows their determination but also makes the deal unpredictable.
Meanwhile, Brighton's Carlos Baleba has emerged as a top target. According to Spanish sources, Baleba is a "dream" that Ruben Amorim and INEOS want to pursue in January. The player is said to be ready to join Old Trafford if both sides reach an agreement.
Why did Amorim no longer favor Ugarte?
Since Ruben Amorim took charge, Man Utd’s midfield has always been “open”. Many options have been tested – from Kobbie Mainoo, Ugarte to experienced players – before the coach temporarily settled on the most stable duo: Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
The two have started five consecutive Premier League games and helped Man Utd maintain their unbeaten run. Although Casemiro has experience and the ability to control the game, his age of 33 forces the board to prepare a succession plan in January.
In that picture, Ugarte’s position has become increasingly blurred. He has only started twice this season – a number that clearly reflects his lack of priority for the head coach.
Baleba and convincing parameters for the midfield role
In terms of expertise, Baleba (21 years old) is described as possessing a more comprehensive skill set than Ugarte. According to statistics for the 2025/26 season, he excels in many key indicators: 86% accurate passing, 54% long passes, 6.5 average duels won per 90 minutes, 1.4 tackles and interceptions, 63% successful dribble rate.
These numbers show the ability to link play, transition and defend proactively – criteria that suit the operational requirements of Man Utd under Amorim, where the pivot midfielder not only breaks up play but also initiates the attack immediately after winning the ball.
A signature to center
In modern football, especially at big clubs, transfer fees often dictate squad priorities. A player who has been invested in for £100m will be built as the central pivot of the project. Conversely, a name that is further down the list – as Ugarte is at the moment – has little chance of turning around if the club completes a deal at that price.
January and the line for the future of Ugarte
Man Utd are surveying the market heavily, with two options in mind: a target who is asking for £100m at the City Ground and a “dream” option at Brighton that Amorim and INEOS have described as a “dream”. While the club may try to negotiate a lower fee than Brighton are offering, the message is clear: they must spend big to rebuild their midfield in the short term.
In that context, Ugarte’s future at Old Trafford is all but sealed if Man Utd secure one of their targets. The limited playing time he has had since the start of the season, combined with plans to sign a new central midfielder to replace Casemiro, suggests that Ugarte’s odyssey could soon come to an end – even before he has had a real chance to make a comeback.
