Newcastle United are eyeing a summer move for Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte, with the midfielder now desperate to leave Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan has received fairly consistent game time for Man United in the Premier League this season, and he has regularly displayed his ability to win back possession, ranking second in the entire top flight when it comes to average number of tackles per 90.
Premier League's top tacklers Club Average per 90
Joao Palhinha Tottenham Hotspur 4.8
Manuel Ugarte Man Utd 4.7
Tim Iroegbunam Everton 4.2
Florentino Burnley 3.9
Nicolas Dominguez Nottingham Forest 3.9
However, after being named in the starting XI against Leeds United, the Uruguayan failed to deliver, with his side falling to a 2-1 defeat, and Roy Keane was critical of United's midfield in his post-match analysis.
It remains to be seen whether the central midfielder is given another chance to prove himself before the campaign reaches its climax, but he is desperate to leave the Red Devils, having become more of a rotation option as the season has progressed.
Newcastle keen on signing Manuel Ugarte
That's where Newcastle come in, with a report from Sports Boom revealing Eddie Howe's side have entered the race for Ugarte's signature, alongside the likes of Juventus and Galatasaray.
Manuel Ugarte for Manchester United
Michael Carrick's side are planning to offload the 25-year-old in the summer transfer window, despite him impressing in a United shirt at times, having been lauded as "sensational" by journalist Shaun Connolly last season.
Update on Tonali and Guimaraes' Newcastle future
With Newcastle's Premier League rivals so willing to get rid of the £120k-a-week midfielder, he would perhaps be a risky addition to Howe's squad,
Instead, the Magpies may be better off trying to tie down their current midfielders, and Howe has hit back at suggestions Bruno Guimaraes has held talks about a move to Old Trafford.
The Englishman said: “Bruno’s our captain, he’s fully committed. He’s injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness. For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.
“To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else. He is totally committed here.”
Sandro Tonali's future is, perhaps, a little more up in the air, with Man United now expected to win the race for the Italian, who is also of interest to Arsenal and Chelsea.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the match Related
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Newcastle United could make a huge call on the future of Eddie Howe in the weeks ahead.