Sir Jim Ratcliffe Targets Sandro Tonali as Manchester United Prepare £40m Manuel Ugarte Sale

Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to sell Manuel Ugarte to Newcastle for £40m to fund a move for Sandro Tonali as Manchester United targets a midfield overhaul.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 4:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Ratcliffe Mandates Midfield Overhaul After Live Assessment

The tenure of Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United appears to be reaching an abrupt conclusion following direct intervention from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Reports from The Athletic indicate that Ratcliffe was "far from impressed" after watching the Uruguay international live from the directors' box during a Premier League clash against Leeds United earlier this month. Ugarte, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for a fee of £50.5 million, has struggled to find consistency in the English top flight. Consequently, the INEOS leadership has placed the midfielder on the transfer list, signaling a major shift in the club's recruitment strategy as they look toward a more dynamic engine room for the 2026/27 campaign.

Newcastle Emerges as Primary Suitor for Ugarte

Newcastle United has emerged as the most enthusiastic suitor for Ugarte, viewing the 25-year-old as the "perfect defensive wall" to anchor their midfield. Under the management of Eddie Howe, the Magpies are seeking a robust defensive presence to provide tactical stability, especially as they navigate a period of uncertainty regarding their current midfield stars. Sources suggest that Newcastle is prepared to meet the £35 million to £40 million valuation set by the Manchester United hierarchy. For Ratcliffe, recouping a significant portion of Ugarte's original transfer fee is seen as a financial necessity to fund incoming high-value targets.

The Pursuit of Sandro Tonali

In a potentially transformative move, Manchester United has identified Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as their primary midfield target. Tonali, widely considered one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted players, is reportedly being considered as the long-term successor to the aging Casemiro. The Red Devils believe Tonali’s tactical intelligence and ball-carrying ability would thrive under the interim management of Michael Carrick, who has recently favored more creative, forward-thinking midfielders. The interest in Tonali is described as "concrete," with United's leadership exploring various ways to lure the Italian away from St. James' Park.