Carrick's Brighton team selection signals Ugarte has no future at Manchester United

Manuel Ugarte did not feature in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, with caretaker manager Michael Carrick opting for Mason Mount alongside Kobbie Mainoo and handing late cameos to youth players Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey — and even the departing Tyrell Malacia — before turning to the £50.8m Uruguayan.

The decision came just days after Carrick had publicly defended Ugarte following United’s defeat to Leeds, insisting the midfielder had “been fine” since the caretaker took charge and had done “a lot of covering for other players” during that difficult night. His omission from the Brighton matchday squad in any meaningful capacity told a different story.

Ugarte joined United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 as the intended long-term successor to Casemiro, but his time at Old Trafford has failed to justify the fee. Across two seasons he has managed just ten starts in all competitions, a run that includes defeats to Grimsby and Leeds. An initial bedding-in period was followed by an encouraging pre-season tour of the United States last summer, yet the improvement never materialised into consistent performances.

Carrick confirmed ahead of the Brighton trip that Casemiro had played his last game for the club. With that veteran presence removed, Ugarte might have expected an opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place. Instead, Mount — a player whose own United career has been plagued by injury — delivered one of his more convincing performances in a red shirt, further narrowing the path for the Uruguayan.

United are prepared to sanction a sale this summer if an acceptable offer arrives, but moving Ugarte on will not be straightforward. He is two years into a five-year contract at Old Trafford and has done little during that time to generate significant interest from potential buyers. The upcoming World Cup may represent his most realistic opportunity to attract suitors and help United recoup a meaningful portion of their outlay.

Carrick’s public comments have been measured and fair toward Ugarte, but his team selections have consistently said something else. The 25-year-old appears to have no place in United’s plans beyond this summer.