Amorim eyes Ugarte reunion at Milan as United seek £30m for struggling midfielder

AC Milan are in negotiations to sign Manuel Ugarte from Manchester United this summer, with the Italian club’s new head coach Ruben Amorim pushing for a reunion with the Uruguayan midfielder he previously managed at Sporting CP.

United signed Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for £42m, but the 24-year-old never established himself at Old Trafford. He made only 30 league starts across two seasons and lost his place in the side during the second half of last season when Kobbie Mainoo reclaimed a regular berth. United manager Michael Carrick has since informed Ugarte he has no future at the club.

Ugarte’s agent Jorge Mendes has opened talks with Milan after his client accepted there is no path back into the first team. United are seeking approximately £30m to recoup a significant portion of their original outlay, though Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani is reluctant to meet that valuation. Further discussions are planned as both sides look for a compromise.

Amorim, who was dismissed as United manager earlier this year before being appointed at Milan, worked with Ugarte during Sporting’s successful period and later attempted to revive his form at Old Trafford. Speaking two months before his departure from United, Amorim described the challenge of integrating the midfielder: “You can sense a lot of very good players come here, and sometimes they struggle. He is struggling at the moment but it is our job to try to help and help him to feel like I felt when he was a Sporting player. But it is a different world. He needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training.”

United have already moved to replace Ugarte in midfield, signing Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta and reportedly preparing an offer for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.

A strong showing at the World Cup could strengthen United’s negotiating position. Ugarte started Uruguay’s opening group fixture, which ended in a draw against Saudi Arabia, with their next game against Cape Verde to follow.