Ratcliffe Personally Sanctions Ugarte Sale as Arsenal Rival Pursuit of £125m Elliot Anderson

Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seeks to sell Manuel Ugarte to fund a £125m move for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson as the Casemiro replacement search heats up.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 11:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Directors' Box Verdict on Ugarte

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly reached a definitive conclusion regarding Manuel Ugarte's future at Old Trafford after witnessing the midfielder’s struggle firsthand. During United's recent 2-1 home defeat to rivals Leeds United, Ratcliffe watched from the directors' box as the 25-year-old Uruguay international labored through the full 90 minutes. Ugarte, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in a £50.5 million deal in 2024, has struggled to find consistency under Michael Carrick. His performance against Leeds, characterized by a lack of physical dominance and tactical awareness, appears to have been the final straw for the INEOS leadership, who now view his departure as a necessary step in the club's midfield overhaul.

Casemiro Exit Accelerates Recruitment Drive

The urgency for new arrivals is heightened by the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who announced in January 2026 that he will leave Manchester United at the end of the current campaign. The Brazilian veteran has enjoyed a decorated four-year spell in Manchester, including pivotal roles in the 2023 Carabao Cup and 2024 FA Cup triumphs. However, with his contract set to expire, INEOS is planning to sign at least two high-profile midfielders to reshape the spine of the team. The departure of such a senior figure leaves a leadership and experience vacuum that Ratcliffe is determined to fill with players who better align with the club's new high-intensity sporting direction.

The Rise of Forest’s All-Action Star

Elliot Anderson has emerged as the premier candidate to spearhead this new-look midfield following a spectacular rise at Nottingham Forest. Since his £35 million move from Newcastle United in 2024, the 23-year-old England international has established himself as one of the most productive and hard-working midfielders in the Premier League. Data indicates that Anderson has covered more ground than any other player in the division this season, a statistic that has specifically piqued the interest of the United hierarchy. His ability to dictate the tempo while providing defensive cover and an offensive threat has led Forest to slap a staggering £125 million valuation on their prize asset.