Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has not been afraid of making ruthless decisions at Carrington.
This summer, Ruben Amorim cast out five unwanted players who were looking to move on this summer. His actions with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have been bold and decisive, and Ineos have backed the Portuguese boss every step of the way.
Amorim was pleased with his signings against Arsenal, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both impressing after arriving as new summer recruits.
They are two of four new additions, but Amorim’s rebuild is far from being done. Reports have claimed Amorim wants an “athletic” midfielder, and that is backed up by United’s pursuit of Carlos Baleba.
A deal for Baleba looks difficult to pull off, but United are still searching the market for a new midfielder, and that spells bad news for one star in particular.
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Ineos must repeat £42m Manuel Ugarte decision
Against Arsenal, Amorim chose to start Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro together in midfield, but the latter. Manuel Ugarte came off the bench in the second half but failed to impress.
Ugarte was confident of improving this season, but it seems he is finding it hard to work his way into Amorim’s starting XI.
Ultimately, the 24-year-old was supposed to be the long-term replacement for Casemiro when United signed Ugarte for £42m last summer from PSG.
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Amorim sold Ugarte at Sporting Lisbon, with the head coach publicly admitting that he preferred Morten Hjulmand in the defensive midfield position.
Given that United are now searching for new midfield targets, it suggests that Amorim doesn’t view Ugarte as the long-term answer to that position.
Whether it be Baleba or another athletic midfielder who is signed this summer, their arrival will push Ugarte down the pecking order and out of Amorim’s plans.
PSG sold Ugarte after they upgraded to Joao Neves. If United also sign an upgrade, Ineos will have no option but to copy their decision and cash in on the Uruguayan in the next few years.
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There’s no denying that Amorim is a big fan of Ugarte, but his actions in the transfer market suggest he wants an upgrade in that position.
United prepared a bid for Baleba this summer, but could return in 2026 to try and sign the Brighton superstar. If he arrives, it’s hard to see how Ugarte would find any minutes in midfield.
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Amorim could also raid his former club Sporting with United interested in Morten Hjulmand. Hjulmand has already replaced Ugarte once, and he could do it again at Old Trafford.
United have enquired about Adam Wharton too, and while the Crystal Palace midfielder would no doubt cost a huge fee, he appears to be a perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo moving forward.