Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte sold this summer.
The Uruguay international arrived at Old Trafford to much fanfare in the summertime of 2024, signed for £50million from Paris Saint-Germain.
But after an underwhelming first season in Manchester, Ugarte has struggled to ascertain himself within the team in any respect this term.
The previous Sporting CP star began just seven matches under Ruben Amorim, who previously coached him in Lisbon, before United parted ways with their head coach in January.
Opportunities have been harder to come back by under Michael Carrick, starting only one game under the previous midfielder. Ugarte was drafted into replace the injured Kobbie Mainoo against Leeds with United beaten by their old rivals at Old Trafford.
United co-owner Ratcliffe was in attendance that night and in line with The Athletic, is of the view Uharte have to be sold this summer. His performance that night against Leeds did little to vary that opinion.
Along with his seven starts under Amorim, including that harrowing Carabao Cup exit against Grimsby in August, Ugarte also began each games during Darren Fletcher’s transient spell in charge.
Of the ten games he has began this term, United have won only once.
The 25-year-old has served as Casemiro’s understudy under Carrick, replacing the Brazilian late on within the second-halves of games.
After the disappointing performance against Leeds, Carrick defended the player who was described as ‘too limited’ by former United captain Gary Neville.
‘Since I’ve are available in, and he’s played and are available on, he’s been high quality,” Carrick said.
‘I feel tonight was a tricky game, not only for Manu. It was one in all those games when it was a tricky night.
‘I actually thought, especially after we went right down to 10 men, that he did a number of covering for other players to have the ability to attack.’
United hope to rebuild their midfield this summer with Aurelien Tchouameni, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Matheus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Joao Gomes amongst those on the shortlist.
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