Manchester United in the Michael Carrick era is preparing to swap Manuel Ugarte for a Premier League star.
On 21 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Manchester United was reported to be considering an eye-catching swap deal, potentially sending Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte to Sunderland in exchange for the promising young talent Noah Sadiki of the “Black Cats”.
According to GiveMeSport, the “Red Devils” are ready to use Ugarte as a bargaining chip in a swap deal to secure one of the most promising young players in the Premier League.
Manuel Ugarte’s time at Manchester United appears to be ending sooner than expected. The £42 million midfielder was brought in with high hopes during former manager Rúben Amorim’s tenure but struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity and failed to secure a permanent starting spot.
Interim coach Michael Carrick quickly asserted his authority by leading the “Red Devils” to an impressive victory over Manchester City in his first match back in charge.
Carrick opted for the central midfield pairing of Cody Menue, who performed excellently in the 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester City, alongside veteran Casemiro—this decision proved highly effective.
This lineup choice reflects Carrick’s view of the Menue-Casemiro partnership as the midfield’s core, which likely means Ugarte will mainly serve as a backup.
While the club is following Amorim’s strategy of offloading this player, it is shifting focus toward using Ugarte as a valuable asset in a swap deal rather than as a key long-term player for Manchester United.