Manchester United to Offload Manuel Ugarte in Major Summer Midfield Overhaul Under Michael Carrick

Manchester United plans a midfield overhaul as the club prepares to sell Manuel Ugarte and prioritize a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo under Michael Carrick.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 3:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The End of a Difficult Transition

Manchester United's leadership has finalized a strategic decision to move on from Manuel Ugarte less than two years after his high-profile arrival in England. The Uruguayan international, who joined the Premier League giants from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 for a fee of approximately 50 million euros, has struggled to find his footing within the rigors of the English top flight. According to club insiders, the decision stems from a perceived lack of tactical adaptation to the specific demands of the Manchester United system. As the team prepares for the 2026/27 campaign, offloading Ugarte is seen as a necessary step to free up both squad space and financial resources.

Carrick Prioritizes Local Talent Over Imports

The shift in midfield strategy appears to be heavily influenced by the vision of manager Michael Carrick, who has placed a high premium on technical fluidity and defensive discipline. While Ugarte was initially brought in to provide a combative presence in front of the back four, his performances have often lacked the distributive quality that Carrick requires. This tactical friction has seen the 25-year-old’s minutes diminish significantly throughout the spring. By moving Ugarte on, the coaching staff hopes to recalibrate the midfield to better support the team's transition-heavy style of play, moving away from a specialist defensive role toward more versatile, "box-to-box" profiles.

Securing the Future with Kobbie Mainoo

In stark contrast to Ugarte's struggles, the meteoric rise of Kobbie Mainoo has become the focal point of Manchester United's long-term planning. The young academy graduate has delivered a series of "outstanding performances" under Carrick’s guidance, establishing himself as an indispensable starter. Reports from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano indicate that the club’s primary administrative goal this summer—alongside selling Ugarte—is to finalize a lucrative new contract for Mainoo. The management aims to reward the teenager's impact and protect one of their most valuable assets from interest by rival European powerhouses.