Manchester United are set to make a decision on selling one of Rúben Amorim’s current crop following the recent loss against Manchester City.
Manchester United suffered their third defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon as Manchester City swept aside Rúben Amorim’s side with a 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.
The derby started with early attempts from Benjamin Šeško and Erling Haaland, but both sides appeared disjointed. City soon took control when Phil Foden opened the scoring just before the 20-minute mark.
United tried to respond but couldn’t find a breakthrough before the interval. After the restart, Amorim’s men showed promise, yet Haaland struck twice — first to double the lead and then to seal the result with more than 20 minutes remaining.
Late chances for Bryan Mbeumo and Casemiro went begging, as City closed out a comfortable derby victory in wet Manchester conditions.
United will make Ugarte decision in the coming months
It has been well-versed in the last few months that United are in desperate need of a new midfielder, but following Manuel Ugarte’s poor display against City, questions are being asked as to whether the 24-year-old may have to be sold next summer, too.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, this is a decision United are expected to take in the next few months.
“In the upcoming months for Manchester United, it’s going to be decision time on some players, and this is going to be part of the conversation,” Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“There will be a decision to make on Manuel Ugarte. I can reveal to you that there was a possibility of an exit this summer because, for example, Italian clubs were interested in Ugarte, but Manchester United decided to close the door to an eventual loan move. That’s why nothing happened.
“For Manuel Ugarte, we have to see if some club arrives with a permanent deal proposal in 2026, because that might change the situation.
“At the moment, Ugarte started the Manchester derby, he has the confidence of Rúben Amorim for sure, and he is working very hard—super hard—but there is interest from Italy, so that could be a case to follow in the upcoming months.”
United may need to sign three new midfielders next summer
It’s already clear that Amorim needs at least one new midfielder. At present, his senior options are limited to Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Ugarte.
With Casemiro’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, United will also have to plan for his departure by bringing in a long-term replacement.
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Alongside the likelihood of revisiting a move for Baleba next summer, there is also increasing uncertainty over Ugarte’s future.
CEO Omar Berrada enforces a strict rule that every new signing has two years to prove their worth, otherwise they are moved on.
So far, Ugarte has struggled to deliver consistent performances, and if he fails to improve, United may need to replace him as well—leaving Amorim in need of potentially three new midfielders.
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