Manchester United came extremely close to signing Moises Caicedo but ultimately chose to ignore the Ecuadorian midfielder.
Back in 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United were linked with Moises Caicedo but club chiefs were not convinced about the £4.5 million deal.
Caicedo was open to joining United, but the Red Devils decided to look elsewhere. In hindsight, it was a huge mistake as the midfielder went on to complete a £115m move to Chelsea where he has grown into a Premier League superstar.
Interestingly, former star Antonio Valencia hoped United signed Caicedo, but his wish never came true. It turns out the ex-Red Devils captain is the midfielder’s biggest inspiration.
Moises Caicedo in action for Chelsea in the Premier League.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
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Moises Caicedo’s shirt number is inspired by Antonio Valencia
United admitted they made a mistake with Caicedo, as he easily could be wearing red at Old Trafford this season had club chiefs signed off on the deal.
There is no doubt that Moises Caicedo would have been open to the deal considering his hero was Antonio Valencia, and he likely would have been wearing the No.25 shirt at the Theatre of Dreams.
“For an Ecuadorian player who played in the Premier League, Antonio Valencia. He wore the number 25, that is why,” Caicedo said in a Sky Sports Premier League interview when asked about his shirt number.
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“He was my inspiration growing up. He was my inspiration already and he was in the Premier League. That is why when I was asked about which number I would like, I said 25 because of him.”
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Manuel Ugarte now wears Moises Caicedo’s dream Man Utd number
United are in the market for a defensive midfielder, and there are few in world football who play the role better than Chelsea’s Caicedo.
The Blues star made it clear he would have loved to be wearing Valencia’s No.25 if he made the move to Old Trafford, and that number is currently taken by midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte was signed to play the same role as Caicedo, but his £42m transfer fee came in at 10 times the price of Caicedo’s in 2020 and he has failed to live up to expectations.
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It is because of Ugarte’s disappointing performances that United are so desperate for a new defensive midfielder to arrive in the 2026 summer transfer window.
It is an ironic twist that Ugarte took the number 25 shirt that would’ve been worn by Caicedo had United not made a huge transfer blunder six years ago.
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