Manchester United are moving uncharacteristically quickly in this year’s transfer market as they have now reportedly “agreed personal terms” with their next signing of the summer.
With co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. at the helm, it looks as though Man United’s recruitment strategy is going to be much more swift and clinical, with the club already announcing the signing of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee last week and French defender Leny Yoro on Thursday.
Now, though, it seems the new board of executives overseeing operations – Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth – may have already secured the third player of the INEOS era, as the latest reports claim that Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte has now agreed to join the club.
According to multiple transfer sources such as Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg, Ugarte has already agreed on personal terms and is keen on a move to Old Trafford and a suitable offer between United and Paris Saint-Germain simply needs to be ironed out.
🚨🔴 Manchester United have agreed on personal terms with Manuel Ugarte.
Contract terms discussed, player keen on moving to United even without Champions League football.
Club-to-club talks continue with PSG, as more clubs also inquired.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder came through the Fénix youth setup back in his home country before sealing a move to the Portuguese league and ultimately impressing enough at Sporting Lisbon (where they have found transfer joy in the past) to land a deal at PSG.
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Ugarte has been on the radar of United and the likes of Chelsea over recent seasons but the fact that his agent is Jorge Mendes, the same man who represents new acquisition Yoro, could work in the Red Devils’ favour.
While talks between the Premier League club and the player himself look to have been successful, specific details of the offer are yet to be revealed and negotiations with his current employers are still ongoing. It is thought that the Ligue 1 giants could demand as much as €70 million (£59m).
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That being said, the French champions are said to be pursuing the services of Benfica’s João Neves to rejig their squad in the middle of the park, so it could be quite a simple case of one in, one out. The statisticians are already sharing a few nuggets to get Reds excited too:
98 – Manuel Ugarte made 98 tackles in just 25 Ligue 1 games in the 2023-24 season, the most of any player; it is more tackles than any Manchester United midfielder has made in any of the last 18 seasons. Solution. pic.twitter.com/fJLuI5j8k4
Meanwhile, there could be plenty more movement in Man United’s ranks also, as not only is it yet to be decided whether Sofyan Amrabat’s loan deal will be made permanent, but European veteran Casemiro’s future is also still up in the air.
There has also been interest in Scott McTominay from clubs such as Fulham, West Ham United and Spurs, and United may have to make room in their midfield to even welcome another new addition in order to keep in line with FFP and PSR.
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Elsewhere, the departure of some fringe players and now most notably Mason Greenwood, has freed up some space in the squad and although it remains unclear how much of a budget manager Erik ten Hag has to work with, it looks as though this could be the next step in the rebuild.
If United manage to wrap up a deal for Ugarte on top of the two players they’ve already signed this summer, would you be happy, Reds – or do you think they need to bring in a few more?
Bury FC announce partnership with big name local brand after ‘milestone’ season
Danny Jones
Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.
The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.
It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.
Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.
While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.
Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.
With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.
As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.
“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”
Over 8,700 fans in attendance at Gigg Lane to see Bury FC win 4-0, confirming their first promotion since being expelled from the EFL in 2019…
The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.
“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”
Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback from the brink.
Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future
Danny Jones
Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or notit remains at Old Trafford.
Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.
Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.
Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.
Marcus Rashford not in any hurry to decide his future. Will wait until the summer before talking to anyone. https://t.co/RtQqbKKs9j
While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”
It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.
As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”
Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.
That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.
"It worked for both parties" 🤝
Gary Neville believes that Manchester United letting Marcus Rashford leave was still the right' decision 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DNAmejWKC3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.
Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.
You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…
Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?
Danny Jones -
19th July 2024 
