The loss of Manuel Ugarte to a serious injury will, as expected, has a “knock-on effect” on Manchester United’s transfer business this summer.
The Red Devils had hoped to offload the midfielder, who has performed disappointingly since his €50 million from PSG in 2024, as part of their squad building ahead of next season.
But that plan has been put on ice after the 25-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup in North America. Although it has not been confirmed whether he sustained an anterior cruciate or medial collateral ligament injury, he is expected to be sidelined for many, many months.
Ugarte injury hands Man Utd outcast Rashford a lifeline
Even though Man Utd won’t be able to sell Ugarte this summer, it won’t stop them from signing another midfielder, according to The Athletic.
It is reported that their “immediate focus” remains on signing West Ham United’s Matheus Fernandes, who is also wanted by Spurs. There are even “more candidates” who “remain under consideration” by the club.
However, they are seemingly rethinking their plan to sign a new left-sided attacker. Marcus Rashford may, after all, stay at Old Trafford.
The England forward has played for Man Utd since December 2024 after falling out with then manager Ruben Amorim. He spent the second half of that season on loan with Aston Villa, before joining Barcelona on loan last summer.
Despite enjoying a decent spell with the Catalan club in which they won the La Liga title, Barça decided against activation the option to buy the player at the end of the campaign.
Rashford, who is currently representing England at the World Cup, has been widely expected to depart Man Utd, but the chances of that happening appear to have lessened.
The 28-year-old will return to pre-season training next month after the World Cup concludes, with the report claiming that he will be “available for Carrick to utilise”.
While no decision has yet been made on his future and the situation could change, it is said “there is an openness all around to potential reintegration”.
United would prefer to “avoid a third loan”, while Rashford has “no desire” to join another Premier League club. Additionally, he is “not currently targeted” by clubs that would “entice” him to leave the club.
