Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ugarte joins United for a fee of €50 million (around £42m) plus €10m in variables.
The Uruguayan completed his medical at Carrington over the course of Wednesday and Thursday but will not be registered in time to face Liverpool on Sunday, with his work permit still needing to be approved.
Manu @ManUtd
Welcoming a new face in M16: @ManuUgarte8 #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 30, 2024
On the transfer, United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth said: “Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer. He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level. His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.
“Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”
Ugarte said: ““It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world. The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.
“The passion of supporters is something that is very important to me; I know how incredible United fans are and I cannot wait to experience Old Trafford. I’m someone who is so determined to succeed; I will sacrifice and give everything for my teammates. Together we will fight to win trophies and reach the level where this club needs to be.”
He also posted a farewell message to PSG on X: https://twitter.com/manuugarte8/status/1829613861923692809
The 23 year old will add steel and grit to a United midfield that has been overrun at times over the course of the last 12 months.
As relayed by The Times, “When asked last year what his best skill was, Ugarte replied: ‘ball recovery.’
“Ugarte made 98 tackles last season, which is more than any other player in Ligue 1. The statistic is made even more impressive given that he started only 21 of PSG’s 34 games and that Luis Enrique’s side spend roughly 66 per cent of league time in possession.”
Initially it is expected that the South American will be rotated with another, Casemiro, as he works his way to full fitness.
The Brazilian has started this season looking much sharper than last, but at 32 years of age he has been seen to be visibly tiring in the latter stages of games, notably against Brighton last Saturday.
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The post Official: Manuel Ugarte joins Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.