Former Gus Poyet has suggested that Manuel Ugarte should consider leaving Manchester United this summer, casting fresh doubt over the midfielder’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
Ugarte, who joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for a reported £43 million fee, has endured a challenging second season in England. The 24-year-old has struggled for consistent game time, starting just a handful of Premier League matches and falling down the pecking order following managerial changes during the campaign.
Poyet, speaking about his fellow Uruguayan, made it clear that the issue is not ability but environment. “He needs to find the right club,” Poyet said, describing Ugarte as a “top central midfielder” with the ability to cover ground, defend effectively and contribute in possession.
The former Chelsea midfielder also revealed he had previously hoped Ugarte would move to Stamford Bridge earlier in his career, rather than joining PSG in 2023. Poyet admitted that decision “affected” him, believing the London club would have been a better fit at the time.
Now, with Ugarte struggling to establish himself at Manchester United and even losing prominence within the Uruguay national setup, Poyet has warned that the upcoming transfer window represents a pivotal moment. He described it as a “big summer” for the midfielder, stressing the importance of choosing a club where he can play regularly and rediscover form
Asked if Ugarte should seek an exit this summer, Poyet told GOAL: “Yeah, and it has affected me a lot because he’s from Uruguay and before he went to Paris Saint-Germain, I wanted him to come to Chelsea.
“I don’t know him, so I couldn’t call him! And he went to Paris Saint-Germain and I was a little bit upset because I thought it was perfect at that time for Chelsea. But after that, he kind of didn’t kick on. Paris Saint-Germain and now Man United.
“He needs to find the right club. I think he’s a top player. I think he’s a top central midfielder. I think he can cover the pitch well. He can cover spaces. He can defend well. But he needs to find the team. He needs to find, I would say, the identity of a club to be able to play every week because he has even lost his main position at the national team.”
Where could Ugarte go next?
If Ugarte does leave Manchester United, several destinations could make sense depending on his priorities.
A return to a possession-dominant side in Europe—particularly in Spain or Italy—could suit his profile. Clubs in La Liga, where tempo is often slower and tactical structure more defined, may allow him to rediscover the positional discipline and ball-winning rhythm that first made him stand out at Sporting CP.
Serie A is another logical landing spot. Teams such as Juventus or Napoli have historically valued combative, tactically intelligent midfielders, and Ugarte’s defensive instincts could translate well in a league that emphasises structure over pace.
A Premier League stay cannot be ruled out either. Mid-table sides or European challengers in England could offer him the consistent minutes he currently lacks at United, without the same level of pressure.
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