MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed the £50million signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old midfielder becomes Old Trafford’s fifth signing of the first summer window conducted under the new INEOS regime.
Manual Ugarte has joined Manchester United
He has signed a five-year deal with the club
United agreed on a £50.42million package, involving an initial fee of £42m, plus an additional £8.42m in bonus-related add-ons.
Ugarte put pen to paper on a five-year deal, and PSG have included a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The Uruguay international completed his medical on Thursday after financial terms between the clubs were finally agreed amid a topsy-turvy wait.
He is United’s fifth senior signing of the summer after Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui
But becomes their first midfield reinforcement with academy graduate Scott McTominay, 27, set to join Napoli for £25m.
After signing his contract, Ugarte said: “It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world.
“The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.
“The passion of supporters is something that is very important to me; I know how incredible United fans are and I cannot wait to experience Old Trafford.
“I’m someone who is so determined to succeed; I will sacrifice and give everything for my teammates.
“Together we will fight to win trophies and reach the level where this club needs to be.”
Ten Hag admitted to having mixed emotions about losing McTominay as he left for Naples in a deal that could reach £30million.
As an academy graduate that figure is pure profit which helps when the maths are done to stay within financial regulations.
Personal terms with the defensive midfielder had been agreed since July, but the clubs could not sign off on a fee.
Ten Hag said: “It is a little bit mixed, I am very happy for him but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him.
“He is Manchester United in everything, he was so important for Manchester United.
“He was here for over 22 years but unfortunately it is the rules.
“Homegrown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.”
Ugarte was also smuggled out of a swanky Manchester restaurant on Wednesday night as his agent Jorge Mendes acted as a decoy.
Ugarte featured in 37 games across all competitions for Luis Enrique’s side during his debut season at PSG, contributing to their Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France victory, and Trophee des Champions win.
Ugarte was a mainstay in the Champions League group stage, starting five of the six games, despite only making 21 league starts.
He did not, however, start any of the six games during the knockout stage.
He led Uruguay to third place behind winners Argentina and Colombia, making him the only player from the country to be included in the Copa America team of the summer event.
Ugarte started his career at the Uruguayan team Fenix, then in December 2020 he transferred to the Portuguese team Famalicao, and in the summer of 2021 he joined Sporting.
