The lights at the Allianz Stadium in Turin weren’t just on for the Uruguay vs. Algeria friendly this week; they were shining directly on Manuel Ugarte. As Manchester United’s £50.5 million man continues to frozen out at Carrington, Italian giants Juventus are reportedly preparing a summer escape route for the midfield “destroyer.”
For Ugarte, the dream move to Manchester has slowly devolved into a tactical nightmare. Despite arriving with high expectations from PSG in 2024, the Uruguayan has struggled to find his rhythm in the Premier League, and the arrival of Michael Carrick as manager in January 2024 appears to have been the final nail in the coffin.
The Scouting Mission in Turin
Juventus Sporting Director Marco Ottolini was reportedly in the stands during Tuesday’s international fixture to “run the rule” over Ugarte. This isn’t a new infatuation; the Bianconeri have tracked the midfielder since his Sporting CP days and even failed with a loan bid last July.
With Teun Koopmeiners heavily linked with a move to Galatasaray, Juve are desperate for a “balancer” in the middle of the park—someone who can eat up ground and allow their creative outlets to roam.
The Stats: A Tale of Two Midfielders
While Ugarte’s stock has plummeted in England, his underlying defensive numbers suggest there is still a world-class engine under the hood:
• Tackle King: Despite limited minutes, he ranks in the 99th percentile for defensive contributions compared to other European midfielders.
• Possession Retention: He’s maintained a solid 85% pass completion rate in the 2025/26 season, proving he isn’t just a “destroyer.”
• The “Carrick” Problem: Ugarte hasn’t started a single match in Carrick’s first 10 games, falling behind the resurgence of Casemiro and the rise of Kobbie Mainoo.
The Price of Freedom
United are reportedly ready to cut their losses. With a contract running until 2029, the Red Devils are unlikely to recoup the full £50m, but a fee in the region of €35m – €40m could tempt the board. United are already being linked with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as they look to pivot toward a more “technically gifted” pivot.
For Juventus, it’s a gamble. They need to decide if Ugarte is the elite ball-winner who dominated Ligue 1, or the “underperformer” who couldn’t handle the pace of the Premier League.
