Dream Ugarte upgrade: Man Utd could see bid accepted for £26m “warrior”
One could argue that Manchester United’s recent victory over Newcastle United was achieved almost despite Ruben Amorim’s substitutions, with Casemiro not the only player left baffled by the Portuguese manager’s choices. Indeed, substituting Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw with mere minutes remaining seemed like a particularly strange decision, as did the choice to take off the veteran Brazilian at the hour mark.
At a moment when an already thin midfield has been further weakened by injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, making such changes might have proven detrimental, even as Amorim emphasized the necessity for ‘freshness’ in the second half. The risk did, in some sense, pay off as the hosts managed to hold on at Old Trafford, but the image of a midfield duo consisting of rookie Jack Fletcher and the struggling Manuel Ugarte should be enough to push INEOS to dive into the transfer market next month.
Ugarte, particularly, seems to require a replacement if United are to progress under Amorim’s management.
Man Utd could see bid accepted for Ugarte replacement For the first time across eight attempts, the Red Devils secured a victory with Ugarte in the starting lineup, with that unfortunate statistic underscoring why the Uruguayan has become such a contentious figure among the Old Trafford supporters.
Having started only four Premier League matches this season, the 24-year-old has yet to hit his stride in Manchester, even after reuniting with his former Sporting CP coach, and he has reportedly received a stern talking-to from Amorim in front of his teammates at the end of the last season. Given his diminishing status, reports suggest that INEOS might be receptive to offers for Ugarte come January, as the club’s leadership is focused on a midfield revamp in 2026.
The likes of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton continue to be primary long-term targets, but if Amorim is seeking a quick resolution, Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher may be the ideal candidate. Recent reports from Spain indicate that the Red Devils are ‘seriously weighing’ a potential move for the former Chelsea player, who has been on their radar for a while.
According to the information, United has been informed about the type of proposal it would take to lure the Englishman away from the Spanish club, with Atleti setting the price tag at €30m (£26m).
Why Gallagher would be the perfect Ugarte upgrade As noted earlier, United might be aiming higher for next summer, but the existing midfield troubles urgently need addressing, which is why a proven player like Gallagher is essential.
Ugarte, having observed from the sidelines for much of the season, has been given opportunities in recent weeks but has failed to capitalize on them. For instance, against Aston Villa, he was substituted late in the match after winning only seven of his 14 ground duels, while also getting dribbled past twice. Similarly, against Newcastle, he lost possession on 12 occasions and was dribbled past three times while facing players like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Ugarte – vs Villa & Newcastle
| Stat | Villa | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 73 | 90 |
| Touches | 44 | 63 |
| Key passes | 0 | 1 |
| Pass accuracy | 84% | 73% |
| Dribbles | 1/1 | 2/2 |
| Ground duels | 7/14 | 8/15 |
| Aerial duels | 1/1 | 0/1 |
| Possession lost | 7 | 12 |
| Dribbled past | 2 | 3 |
Stats via Sofascore
Thus, an upgrade is essential for INEOS as January approaches, with Gallagher being the type of cost-effective option who could integrate seamlessly, showcasing the same endurance as Ugarte, but with a far superior end product. Celebrated as a “warrior” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Atleti player has netted three goals this season, bringing his overall tally to 14 goals and assists in 75 games since his arrival at Diego Simeone’s squad in 2024.
This transfer followed what could be considered his best season at Chelsea the year before, finishing 2023/24 with 16 goals and assists for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino.
Previously characterized by talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino as akin to “N’Golo Kante with goals”, Gallagher is truly an all-rounder, notably placing in the top 6% of European midfielders for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, according to FBref, as well as landing in the top 3% for interceptions.
In contrast, while Ugarte ranks in the top 1% for tackles, it is the offensive side of his game that falls short, positioning him in only the top 37% for non-penalty goals. This disparity in quality is further evident in the metrics where Gallagher surpasses the South American on multiple fronts per 90 minutes, including progressive carries (1.97 vs 0.78), touches in the opposition box (2.97 vs 0.78), and pass success rate (88% vs 84.8%), reinforcing why he is the superior box-to-box option.
A carry is deemed progressive if the ball is moved at least 10 yards toward the opponent’s goal from its original spot or carried into the penalty area.
Ugarte, a player who has only scored six career goals at the senior level, is essentially a reliable but unremarkable presence, lacking the exceptional quality necessary to thrive in a Premier League midfield.
Gallagher may not be flawless, but he would undoubtedly represent significant improvement, should United manage to secure a deal next month.
Published: 2025-12-28 20:40:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
