MANUEL UGARTE could leave Manchester United in January despite Ruben Amorim’s departure.
The Uruguayan, 24, was not fancied under Amorim and has made just six Premier League starts this season.
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Manuel Ugarte hasn’t hit the expected heights since joining Man UnitedCredit: Getty
Dutch giants Ajax are on the hunt for a number six and with the World Cup looming, Dutch outlet VI reports that the former Paris Saint-Germain star is open to the move.
The greater challenge is reaching an agreement with Man United given his reported £120,000-a-week wages.
The idea is a loan deal, but United would have to do some compromising on how much of his wages Ajax pay.
Ugarte was signed from PSG in the summer of 2024 for €50 million, but he is behind Casemiro in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
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In truth, Ugarte has failed to live up to his billing since arriving in the red-half of Manchester.
Billed as one of the top emerging defensive midfielders in Europe during his time with Sporting Lisbon, PSG originally won the race for his signature among a host of suitors.
While it seemed a coup when United managed to sign him 18 months ago, he has failed to make a real impression.
Now that Amorim is gone, there is a chance United return to a midfield three and more opportunities arise.
However, hometown hero Kobbie Mainoo is also desperate to play and would likely slide infront of Ugarte, too.
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Darren Fletcher is the caretaker manager for Man United at present.
By next week, the decision makers at Old Trafford are expected to hire an interim manager to lead the club until the end of the season.
That man is widely expected to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a legendary striker for the club and who already managed them between 2018 and 2021.
If Ajax cannot get Ugarte, the report states they will turn to a former United star – Daley Blind.
The 35-year-old can play as a holding midfielder, but of course also as a central defender and left back and still does at his current side, Girona.
Blind, who made 141 appearances for United before moving to Ajax back in 2018, had a release clause of around €500,000 last summer.
Because his contract expires in the summer, he is certainly the less expensive option to Ugarte.
