This past summer, Paris Saint-Germain sold Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United for a reported €50 million, an additional €10 million in potential add-ons, and a 10 percent sell-on clause.
After Uruguay’s Copa América campaign, Ugarte had no time to prepare for the 2024-25 season. He missed the preseason and didn’t feature in any matches, even sitting out PSG’s first three Ligue 1 games.
The transfer between PSG and Manchester United was completed on the final day of the summer window. Ugarte is now getting some game time with the Red Devils, but his performances have been mixed so far.
Ugarte is being criticized after the Red Devils’ disappointing Matchday 1 in the UEFA Europa League, which saw them draw 1-1 to FC Twente at Old Trafford this week.
On Friday, football journalist Andy Mitten noted that supporters need to give the Uruguayan time to adapt and find his footing, as it was unrealistic to expect him to hit the ground running.
“He’s only just arrived, and I think he should be given time,” Mitten said on talkSPORT. “He’s moving to play in another country…What are some people expecting? The new Roy Keane just to come in and start smashing it.
“Some of Manchester United’s greatest players, people who’ve become world-class players, have needed time to settle in. And I don’t think he’s actually done particularly badly. He’s just not been the new Zidane, which he was never going to be. Players need time to settle. It’s a very tough league to play in.”
