Man Utd Transfer News: Assessing the Manuel Ugarte midfield alternatives
With just under two weeks until the 2024/25 Premier League season gets underway, Manchester United remain on the hunt for a new midfielder.
Erik ten Hag’s side have been linked with a host of players viewed as capable of stepping in and providing the solution to United’s midfield woes.
32-year-old Casemiro, who showed signs of decline towards the end of last season, looks set to start the forthcoming campaign alongside Kobbie Mainoo, but Ten Hag will be hoping the new faces in the Old Trafford boardroom can secure a marquee midfield arrival sooner than later.
As the Red Devils continue to explore the market for a suitable addition, we’ve taken a look at five of the midfielders linked with a move to United this summer.
PSG and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte looked to be the number one target in midfield until this week, with United now believed to be backing away from a deal for the 23-year-old, due to the French side's £60million valuation.
Ugarte impressed for Sporting in the season before last, eventually earning his move to Paris in the summer of 2023, but there are concerns about whether his style of play would provide the solution United are so desperate for.
The Uruguay international made more tackles per 90 than any other player in Ligue 1 last term (4.6), but it is his next action - after winning the ball - that raises concern. Just 14.6% of the passes Ugarte made last season went forward, and, out of possession, he was dribbled past 2.1 times per 90, the sixth-most of any player in the division.
The latest name to join the reported shortlist of targets for United’s midfield signing is Burnley’s Sander Berge, who made the move to Turf Moor last summer after three seasons with Sheffield United.
Berge started 34 league matches last term as the Clarets finished 19th and were relegated back to the Championship. There are, however, signs that the Norwegian could be a shrewd addition for United.
The 26-year-old is combative, noted in his 2.1 tackles per 90 in the Premier League last season, while a pass success rate of 88.8% ranked first among those players to make more than 20 league starts for Burnley - a respectable return for a side battling relegation.
Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
With Mikel Merino seemingly headed for Arsenal, Real Sociedad could lose both of their midfield maestros should Martin Zubimendi depart the club this summer.
The 25-year-old has been mentioned as one of United’s targets, and for good reason too. Last season Zubimendi played more than 10 matches as both a No.6 and a No.8, often freeing up Merino to advance and impact the game offensively - a role he could take up at United, to benefit Kobbie Mainoo.
In La Liga last term, the Spain international managed four goals, an assist, 1.6 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per 90 minutes.
Martin Zubimendi has won possession in the midfield third more times (235) than any other player since the start of the 2022/23 La Liga season. 💪 pic.twitter.com/nH3MyPoEqw
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 21, 2024
An alternative target for United could be France international Youssouf Fofana, who has entered the final year of his contract with Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Fofana, who made three substitute appearances for Les Bleus at Euro 2024, is believed to be available for around £30million, and could facilitate the likes of Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in Erik ten Hag’s side next season.
The Frenchman has made 66 league starts for the Principality club over the last two seasons, showcasing his durability, while he has also won possession in the midfield third more times (297) than any other player in that time.
The final name on this reported shortlist of midfield targets is Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, who spent last season on loan with United, following impressive performances in Serie A and at the 2022 World Cup.
United turned down the opportunity to activate their €25million option-to-buy for the Moroccan international at the end of last season, but could yet return to Fiorentina in the hopes of negotiating a lower fee for the 27-year-old.
Amrabat could represent a solid short-term option to Ten Hag’s squad, but he is unlikely to be the floor-raising signing supporters so crave. Indeed, he made just 10 league starts for the Red Devils while on loan last season, registering the lowest WhoScored rating (6.24) of any United player.
