Manchester United promised to sign Manuel Ugarte from PSG | OneFootball

Manuel Ugarte is eager to show his talents with Manchester United following his big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Uruguayan midfielder became United’s fifth senior signing of the summer after the English outfit agreed a deal worth an initial £42m plus a further £8.4m in add-ons with PSG late in August.

Despite the player’s desire to join the Red Devils, the Ligue 1 giants played hardball on Ugarte’s price, as they tried to recoup all of the €60 million they paid Sporting Lisbon for his services in the summer of 2023.

The negotiations between the two clubs stretched on for over a month but United never seriously considered leaving the race for Ugarte.

The 23-year-old, who is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, was considered their preferred option to strengthen the midfield all summer. As per Fabrizio Romano, the recruitment team saw him as their “option number 1, 2 and 3.”

Now, Ugarte has revealed that during the recently concluded transfer window, United promised that they would get the deal for him over the line.

After Uruguay’s goalless draw against Venezuela, the ex-PSG man said (via El Pais): “This last month has been complicated because it was a difficult negotiation and United promised to take me and now I’m going to have to prove it.”

Ugarte started in the middle of the park against Venezuela and produced another combative display under Marcelo Bielsa.

Before the international break, Erik ten Hag suggested his new midfield signing may take months to find his feet in England due to lack of minutes at PSG.

However, Ugarte started both matches for his country during the international break, underlining he is fit enough to play for United.

Ten Hag has had to rely on Casemiro to shield his backline so far this season. However, the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to cope with the responsibility due to his ageing legs. He was so underwhelming against Liverpool that the United gaffer had no choice but to haul him off at the break.

Taking everything into consideration, Ugarte may get opportunities to “prove” himself at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

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