INEOS ready to use connections to offload ‘struggling’ Man Utd star after brutal Amorim admission

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte may have lost his way at Carrington, but he has a suitor in the shape of OGC Nice.

The Red Devils spent circa £44 million to sign the Uruguayan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024. A few months later, fate reunited him with his old Sporting Club mentor, Ruben Amorim.

At the time, observers thought the 24-year-old would be one of the first names on the Portuguese manager’s teamsheet week in, week out.

However, it has been quite the opposite. In fact, the 40-year-old had brutally admitted last month that the midfielder is indeed ‘struggling’.

Starting from the final months of the previous campaign, the 24-year-old has been playing second fiddle to Casemiro in the holding-midfielder role.

To make matters even worse for Ugarte, has has seemingly been usurped by Kobbie Mainoo in the No.6 role, with the Englishman recently being favoured ahead of him when it comes to replacing Casemiro in the second half.

Therefore, the writing is on the wall for the Montevideo native, who appears destined to leave Carrington, either in January or in the summer.

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Last week, Ugarte was linked with a move to Galatasaray based on reports emerging from Turkiye.

This week, Jeunes Footeux revealed that OGC Nice have set their sights on the Man Utd midfielder, as they aim to bolster their ranks after a disappointing start to the season. The Eagles currently reside 13th in the Ligue 1 table, having lost their six matches.

The source claims that the French Riviera side has enquired about the player’s availability, as they’re hoping to sign him on loan next month.

As a minority owner in both clubs, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group can certainly facilitate the negotiations. However, the report admits that the move remains far-fetched, as Ugarte hasn’t been tempted by the proposal, even if it means earning more playing time.

As things stand at the moment, it appears that United’s midfield department is at a standstill, even though all four members have been linked with the exit door, albeit to varying degrees.

But while the January movement remains complicated, a summer revamp remains inescapable, especially with Casemiro’s expiring contract, Kobbie Mainoo’s awkward situation with Amorim, Bruno Fernandes’ irritation with the hierarchy who tried to sell him, and Ugarte’s well-illustrated struggles.