Man Utd flop told he must have joined Chelsea in ‘perfect’ transfer | Football

Gus Poyet has urged ‘top player’ Manuel Ugarte to depart Manchester United this summer and says he must have joined Chelsea earlier in his profession.

Ugarte has been one among United’s most disappointing signings in recent times, failing to prove his price since joining in a £50m move from PSG in 2024.

The Uruguay international has began just seven of Manchester United’s 31 Premier League games to this point this season, barely getting used since Michael Carrick returned to Old Trafford as caretaker manager.

Ugarte is contracted to United for an additional three years but looks set to be moved on way before that date, with the Red Devils believed to be open to offers ahead of the summer transfer window.

Poyet believes a summer move could be in the most effective interest of all parties and hopes his compatriot ‘finds the appropriate club’ to secure more regular game-time and rediscover his form.

A move abroad seems likely although Poyet admits he was ‘upset’ Ugarte didn’t move to his former club Chelsea before his 2023 transfer to PSG.

Asked if he wants Ugarte to depart Man United this summer, Poyet told GOAL: ‘Yeah, and it’s affected me rather a lot because he’s from Uruguay.

‘Before he went to Paris Saint-Germain, I wanted him to return to Chelsea. After they began the rumours, Chelsea, big Chelsea, you already know you would like to come, make a call, come to Chelsea.

‘I don’t know him, so I couldn’t call him! And he went to Paris Saint-Germain and I used to be a little bit bit upset because I believed it was perfect at the moment for Chelsea.

‘But after that, he sort of didn’t kick on. Paris Saint-Germain and now Manchester United. He needs to seek out the appropriate club.

‘I believe he’s a top player. I believe he’s a top central midfielder. I believe he can cover the pitch well. He can cover spaces. He can defend well. He can play, start the choices. But he needs to seek out the team.

‘He needs to seek out, I’d say, the identity of a club to give you the chance to play every week because he even lost his most important position on the national team.

‘Within the national team, everybody was playing and was considering Ugarte, [Rodrigo] Bentancur, [Fede] Valverde. After which the national team is twiddling with two and a number 10 off the front.

‘And that’s why he’s not playing. So, yes, it’s a giant summer for Ugarte and I hope he makes an excellent decision for him and for his family.’

Earlier this month Manchester United legend Gary Neville predicted Ugarte would follow fellow midfielder Casemiro out of the club this summer.

Casemiro, who has enjoyed a formidable season, announced in January that he could be leaving Old Trafford at the top of the season.

‘Casemiro is leaving and Manuel Ugarte I believe will leave,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. ‘So United need two really good central midfield players.

‘Probably one which’s more positional, like a Michael Carrick-type, and one which’s more of a destroyer. I do think the back needs taking a look at however the midfield could be the true focus in the summertime transfer window.’

Manchester United could only draw 2-2 with Bournemouth on Friday night but remain third within the Premier League with seven games remaining.

Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered a demoralising 3-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday to slide six points outside the top-four places.

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