Ugarte's inclusion causes Manchester United to falter, Amolin set to sign a new midfielder! If he stays, a £50 million favorite might join.

Ahead of the Premier League showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool, English outlets speculated Ugarte could be in the starting lineup, yet even with Casemiro’s tiredness from long-distance travel, Rúben Amorim decided against relying on the £60 million Uruguayan holding midfielder. This proved understandable since when Ugarte entered as a sub in the second half, United’s midfield lost control instantly.

Ugarte is indeed strong defensively, but his contribution is limited to defense, and sometimes his positioning is poor. Amorim demands his midfielders to combine physicality, intelligence, and creativity, but Ugarte’s limitations are too significant, making him unsuitable as a starter. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that although Amorim still trusts Ugarte, the player’s inconsistent performances mean he is unlikely to carry a major role.

Amorim previously worked with Ugarte at Sporting Lisbon, which has fostered a close relationship between them. As a result, the player often gets game time, with both the coach and Manchester United hoping Ugarte will step up and justify their faith. Romano stated, “Ugarte’s performances haven’t been outstanding, but both the coach and club continue to trust him. They want him to improve quickly.”

This view is also supported by other experts. Simon Stone from BBC remarked, “Since transferring from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United, Ugarte rarely looks like a £50 million player. When fans complain that Cody Gakpo hasn’t received enough chances, they often cite Ugarte as an example.”

Ben Jacobs commented, “Amorim likes Ugarte and believes he’s the right fit, but extra potential must be unlocked. Like several other Manchester United players, due to his age and potential, expectations are high that he can improve the squad. Others are in a similar situation, such as Højlund. Their expensive transfers have not met expectations, and Amorim thinks Ugarte should deliver more because he originally possesses the right qualities.”

Ugarte himself admitted to underperforming: “Our season started poorly, and I haven’t been at my best. We need to be realistic and honest. However, I’m very confident, have a good relationship with the coach, train hard, and am eager to earn a starting spot.”

According to “TEAMtalk,” regardless of Ugarte’s performances, Amorim wants to strengthen the midfield in the winter transfer window because the nearly 34-year-old Casemiro lacks the stamina to play full matches. Another former Sporting Lisbon player is high on the shortlist. The 26-year-old Danish midfielder Morten Yulmand has been linked with a move to the Red Devils.

Yulmand has a £70 million release clause, but Manchester United believe they can sign him for £50 million. After taking charge at United, Amorim openly stated he considers Yulmand more complete than Ugarte and better suited to the 3-4-3 formation. He described Yulmand as a “combination of Ugarte and Palinha.”

Whether Manchester United will buy Yulmand may depend heavily on Amorim’s future. Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are British, they prefer Premier League players. Italian transfer expert Di Marzio said, “The key to the Yulmand transfer lies in whether Amorim is dismissed. Amorim really likes Yulmand, and Juventus are also interested. This summer, Juventus couldn’t spend £50-60 million on his position because they prioritized forwards.”

Ratcliffe’s preferred midfield targets include Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, both priced around £70 million. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is also an option but is too expensive, exceeding £100 million.

Recently, there have been rumors linking Manchester United with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, the 20-year-old Real Madrid star’s younger brother, who attracted United’s attention even before his 2023 transfer from Birmingham. Reports suggest that with the 2026 World Cup approaching, he is willing to return to England on loan.

Meanwhile, Porto’s Victor Froholdt, a 22-year-old Danish player who has impressed in this season’s Champions League, is under close watch by Manchester United and other European giants. His contract has only a year and a half left, which might reduce his transfer fee.