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?
Southampton troll Manchester City after Ruben Dias’ frustrated interview
Danny Jones
Southampton FC have decided to respond to Manchester City star Ruben Dias with some casual trolling following his frustrated post-match interview this weekend.
In short, someone let the admin off the leash, and we’ll admit it caught us a little off guard.
Man City shared the points away at St Mary’s Stadium against the already relegated Saints – a fate which plays somewhat into the rather nonchalant nature of their social media this past Friday, 9 May.
Southampton hosted City for what turned out to be a beyond forgettable bore draw, although Dias himself was clearly still dwelling on it at least somewhat after the full-time whistle, claiming the home team put in very little effort. To which this was their reply…
While plenty of people online had already seen Ruben‘s review of their performance, the south coast side had no problem in drawing even more eyes to it by sharing the video above.
There’s one thing to disagree with/mock a single player’s response in a moment of tension, but putting together a mini blooper reel about last season’s Premier League champions and recent Treble winners to the rather out-of-tune flute version of ‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fire felt pretty bold, to say the least.
Again, not that they’ll care one bit, given they won’t be even in the same division for at least another year.
It’s also just not all too often that you see football clubs’ official media channels memeing other teams, so it’s hard not to react when instances like this do happen.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola had a fair few of his own visibly frustrated feelings on the match as well, including some words for his own players, although stating that they should have been able to break down a team that’s already on their way to the Championship.
Pep’s post-match press conference following Southampton 0-0 City in full.
It’s also worth mentioning that while it may have felt like a bit of a damp rubber game, there was actually a lot more at stake in the grander scheme of things.
Not only did the draw rescue Southampton from setting a new record for the lowest points tally in the top-flight competition’s history, but much more importantly, it meant crucial points were dropped for the Blues in the race to secure Champions League football.
Most supporters would rightly assume Man City will be in UEFA’s premier continental competition next season, but it’s not a certainty just yet.
You can watch the highlights, or lack thereof, down below.
Who had more of a point, do you think – Ruben Dias or the Southampton admin?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
Thomas Melia
Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.
Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.
Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.
This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.Credit: Justin De Souza
Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.
Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.
We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.
If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.
There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.Credit: Justin De Souza
New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.
You had us at booze and scran.
Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.
Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”
Danny Jones -
19th July 2024 
