Not Mainoo or Zirkzee: 57-app Man Utd man opens door to imminent departure to Euro league leaders

Manuel Ugarte has reportedly privately green-lit a move to Galatasaray before the end of the month.The Manchester United midfielder is one of a few Reds facing uncertain futures throughout the transfer window, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee also linked with January moves elsewhere.Meanwhile, Galatasaray have been keeping tabs on Ugarte’s situation for several weeks in the build-up to the window opening, having identified him as a viable target amid his Old Trafford struggles.What’s being said about Ugarte to Galatasaray?(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, the Super Lig leaders are aiming to facilitate a deal that sees Ugarte join them on loan for the remainder of the season, after which they will have the option of adding him to their ranks permanently.United shelled out an initial £42.1 million to sign the then-23-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, so it remains to be seen what kind of fee they would demand to sanction his exit so prematurely.They are thought to be open to his sale, however, as INEOS are less than impressed with the substandard impact the Uruguayan has had since his tenure began.Ugarte has made 57 appearances in total over the last season-and-a-half for United. 47 of those came under Ruben Amorim, whom he also worked with during his time at Sporting Lisbon.Ugarte: The state of play in M16(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)He has struggled to retain a starting spot throughout 2025/2026, making only five starts in total in the 19 Premier League matches played thus far – although absences across the squad have seen Ugarte make the XI for the last three outings.Should United pursue a midfield addition this month, you’d imagine the Red would see his minutes slashed throughout the second half of the term. Alas, a winter switch may be the most suitable outcome for all parties.