BREAKING NEWS: Man United confirmed another fresh departure as £65m player announced sudden departure away from the Club today – deal 100% signed for Him to depart tomorrow
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is edging closer to an Old Trafford exit despite an upturn in performance over the last month, if the latest report from Türkiye is to be believed.
Struggles in England
Ugarte has struggled to adapt to the intensity of Premier League football since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
The Uruguayan international was unfavoured by the recently departed Ruben Amorim, whose own exit was sealed last week, despite the pair having previously worked together with Sporting CP. Amorim even went as far as to call out Ugarte in a team meeting last season, telling the 24-year-old he did “not recognise” the player he knew in Lisbon.
Manuel Ugarte Stats: 2025/26 Season
Competition Played Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards Minutes Played
Premier League 15 — — 1 — 726′
EFL Cup 1 — — — — 45′
FA Cup 1 — — — — 45′
Total 17 — — 1 — 771′
At the request of Jason Wilcox, the Red Devils agreed a deal with the Ligue 1 champions worth £50.5 million (£42.1m + £8.4m in add-ons) to sign Ugarte. It has proved a terrible allocation of funds, however, with his lack of physicality and abject technique horribly exposed in Europe’s toughest league.
This should have been obvious to United’s recruitment department, given Ugarte’s worst performances in a PSG shirt came in the Champions League against English sides — an obvious template for how his talents would translate.
But it is simply another blemish on Wilcox’s growing list of mistakes since arriving at Old Trafford to lead INEOS’s revolution.
United are understood to be open to Ugarte’s sale, though there is reluctance to sanction his departure this month without a replacement arriving in his place — and the winter window is a difficult one to find affordable deals in.
A host of clubs on the continent have been linked with the Uruguay international, including Dutch heavyweight Ajax and Serie A champions Napoli.
But it is the Super Lig table toppers, Galatasaray, who are leading the race with Turkish reporter Yakup Çınar revealing the midfielder will “100%” leave Old Trafford this month.
A European Escape
As reported by Sports Witness, Çınar claims Galatasaray remain in talks for Ugarte, who they want to sign on loan with an option to buy.
“Galatasaray continues its contacts regarding Manuel Ugarte. Names such as Muslera and Torreira are in talks with the player about Galatasaray. Galatasaray wants to rent him with a loan purchase option. The player will leave Manchester United 100%,” he states.
United are thought to prefer a permanent exit, or a loan with an obligation to buy clause included — with one side having to compromise for an agreement to be struck.
But the report further details Ugarte has “agreed personal terms with the Istanbul side”, suggesting confidence in Türkiye that it will be the Red Devils who give in, rather than them.
United continue to be linked with a move for Conor Gallagher — and the 25-year-old Englishman would represent an upgrade on Ugarte.
A number of Premier League sides are angling for the Atletico Madrid midfielder’s signature this month, however, explaining why INEOS may now be willing to agree to Ugarte’s exit on Galatasaray’s terms if it frees up space for Gallagher’s arrival.
