Man Utd can cut Ugarte for one of England’s ‘best young players’

In a game that is increasingly globalized and obsessed with transfer activity, it is easy to forget that fans perhaps get even greater pleasure from seeing homegrown talent emerge – particularly at a club like Manchester United.

The modern post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has been difficult, but arguably the brightest lights have emerged from Carrington, whether Marcus Rashford under Louis van Gaal, Scott McTominay under Jose Mourinho and Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under Erik ten Hag.

The debate over whether it was right to move them or not will continue to rage, but it is telling that three of that notable list of four are no longer part of the first-team ranks at Old Trafford, with Mainoo also now on the periphery under Ruben Amorim.

In the age of PSR and pure profit, academy sales have almost become an incentive, with the INEOS regime likely to be tempted to sell off the 20-year-old sensation if his supporting role continues.

Despite all the question marks over his suitability for Amorim’s system, it would be a real shame if Mainoo left in 2026 or beyond, with the 2024 FA Cup Final hero surely deserving a pride of place as the centerpiece of the club’s long-term project.

The only saving grace, thankfully, is that the Stockport-born starlet isn’t the only rising star currently on the books – the Red Devils have at least one other talent on the treadmill to turn to.

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It’s no exaggeration to suggest that there are question marks around every senior midfielder in Amorim’s side right now, with drastic changes likely to occur in that department, whether that’s in January or next summer.

As we’ve already discussed, Mainoo – at least in the short term – appears destined to move on, amid talk of a loan move, with the ten-cap England international yet to even start a Premier League game this season.

The man he is in direct competition with – as Amorim has suggested in the past – is Bruno Fernandes, although the Portuguese genius’ future is up for debate, having almost joined Saudi club Al Hilal in the summer.

At 31, the former Sporting CP man certainly still has a lot of growing to do, although he has hinted he will think again about his situation after next year’s World Cup, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.

Speaking of expiring contracts, there has been little news regarding Casemiro’s future, with the resurgent Brazilian’s current deal coming to a head in June.

Currently raking in £350,000-a-week, the 33-year-old would reportedly have to take a significant pay cut to stay at Manchester, with United and Amorim both in need of a long-term replacement given his age.

Manuel Ugarte was supposed to be that defensive, ball-winning successor, even if the Uruguayan – starting in just two league matches in 2025/26 – is also short of rope at Old Trafford, in his second season at the club.

After being criticized by Amorim in front of his teammates after the Europa League final – in which he played no part – the former Sporting player enjoys no favoritism at the moment, far from it, having not yet convinced that he is United quality.

The 24-year-old is currently the de facto third-choice midfielder, although it is not a status he deserves, with club legend Gary Neville best describing him as “not good enough” after the Manchester derby.

In truth, an internal replacement is necessary, this season and beyond.

Man Utd’s new Mainoo can replace Ugarte

Ten Hag has become a ridiculous figure to many, but it’s easy to forget the early progress he made in the United dugout, putting a sinking ship back on course after that initial calamity at Brentford.

In February 2023, for example, United reached their peak under the Dutchman’s leadership, memorably beating Barcelona in the Europa League, while also securing a deserved 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Following this triumph, Ten Hag moved from short-term celebrations to long-term thinking, heading straight towards 17-year-old Mainoo amid jubilation, seemingly pointing out that the teenager would have a role to play in such scenes later.

While injury meant it took until November 2023 for a first-team role to truly emerge – having made just three appearances in 2022/23 – Ten Hag’s faith in Mainoo was more than justified, following his Man of the Match debut in the Premier League at Goodison.

Almost exactly two years on, and with Everton the opponents again, Amorim may well be looking to unleash the next Mainoo-shaped figure in midfield, in the form of Carrington sensation Jack Fletcher.

The man who maintained the club’s academy record against Spurs, having been named on the bench in Mainoo’s absence, Fletcher – son of Darren and brother of fellow youth team star Tyler – is edging ever closer to a senior bow, with midfield obviously an area for Amorim to address.

Described as one of the “best young players in England”, according to Como analyst and scout Ben Mattinson, the left-footed Fletcher looks set for a left central midfield role, having also been trialled at left back in recent times through the youth ranks.

In Mattinson’s opinion, the 18-year-old is “one of the most technical of the lot” at the academy, with his elegance and athleticism also ensuring he has “everything you want” from a left-footed number eight.

An England youth international, the former Manchester City starlet has enjoyed a promising 2025/26 season so far with three goals and an assist in ten games recorded, according to Transfermarkt, including in the EFL Trophy defeat to Barnsley, before seeing red.

Oakwell has already been the scene of the highlight moment of his United journey to date, as the Englishman scored twice to secure a 3-2 victory in the same competition last season, including an outrageous long-range half-volley at the death.

Just as there was an appetite for transfers over the summer, there is a real desire among the United faithful to see the next Mainoo, the next McTominay emerge in the weeks and months to come.

With Mainoo, unfortunately, on the fringes, and Ugarte simply not up to the task, Fletcher might just be ready to slide into the mix as Casemiro’s real challenger before too long.

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