Manchester United are facing a summer of change as Michael Carrick looks to make several new additions ahead of their return to Europe under him
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick will be wanting midfield additions this summer(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
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Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be permitted to depart on loan or permanently this summer following a disappointing spell at the club. The speculation emerged after Michael Carrick chose not to include him in the squad for their final Premier League fixture of the season at Brighton on Sunday - despite Casemiro being unavailable.
The 25-year-old has failed to make his mark at Old Trafford since his £50million arrival from Sporting in August 2024. Brought in under Erik ten Hag as a potential replacement for the ageing Casemiro, Ugarte has been unable to adjust to the demands of English football's top division.
The Uruguayan featured from the start in 10 matches this season, with United securing victory in just one of those games. Those fixtures included humiliating losses to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and Leeds United in the Premier League, the latter being only one of two defeats under Carrick.
United's then-interim manager defended Ugarte following the 2-1 loss to Daniel Farke's side in April - the Red Devils' first home league defeat to the Yorkshire outfit since 1981.
He said: "Since I've come in, and he's played and come on, he's been fine.
"I think tonight was a tough game, not just for Manu. It was one of those games when it was a tough night. I actually thought, especially when we went down to 10 men, that he did a lot of covering for other players to be able to attack."
Manuel Ugarte during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Manuel Ugarte has been linked with a summer exit from Man United. (Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
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However, the Guardian reports that Ugarte's future at M16 is uncertain, with the Red Devils set to sign Ederson from Atalanta. That acquisition is said to be one of two additional midfield signings this summer — making Ugarte's departure increasingly likely.
United's primary objective is to secure an elite-level No. 6 to succeed Casemiro, with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali among the frontrunners for that position.
One player they appear set to miss out on is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. The Mirror understands that United have conceded defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City.
The Red Devils had identified the England international as one of their key summer targets. However, United's hierarchy are unwilling to meet the asking price of around £100m.
United are also aware that Anderson would favour a move to City over them. It is understood the Blues remain increasingly confident of securing Anderson's signature, despite Pep Guardiola's recent departure.
Other midfielders being linked with a summer move to Old Trafford include Adam Wharton and Carlos Belaba. United have also mulled over a surprise approach for Alexis Mac Allister, but are well aware that negotiating a deal with Liverpool is highly improbable.