Manuel Ugarte Finalizes Deal to Join Manchester United

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Ugarte is switching sides…

Manchester United has finalized a deal to sign the 23-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier his week the team had reached an agreement on a deal worth an initial €50 million ($55.3 million) with another €10 million ($11 million) in potential add-ons for the Uruguay international player.

Ugarte has signed a five-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. He joins Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee as new signings at Old Trafford this summer.

“Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer,” Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth said in the club’s announcement. “He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level. His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.

“Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”

Ugarte has had stints at Portuguese sides Sporting Lisbon and Famalicão, as well as Fénix in Uruguay. Ugarte made his debut for the Uruguay national team in 2021 and has played 22 times for the national side.

He made 37 appearances for PSG last season, including 25 in Ligue 1.

“It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world,” Ugarte said. “The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.”

David de Gea Announces Plans to Leave Manchester United This Summer

Posted on July 8, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

David de Gea is ready for his next chapter…

The 32-year-old Spanish professional footballer has announced he’s leaving Manchester United this summer, saying that now’s the right time to undertake a new challenge in his career.

The goalkeeper failed to agree to terms on a new contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford and will leave the club 12 years after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

De Gea was close to signing a new deal, only for talks to collapse at the end of season. Sources have told ESPN that United are in negotiations with Inter Milan for the transfer of Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.

“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” De Gea wrote on social media on Saturday.

“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.

“I took incredible pride everytime I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.

“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.

“Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”

De Gea made 545 appearances for United — seventh on the club’s all-time list — and was part of the team that won the 2012-13 Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. He also won the FA Cup in 2016, the Carabao Cup in 2017 and 2023 as well as the Europa League in 2017.

In a club statement released on Saturday shortly after De Gea’s announcement, manager Erik ten Hag said: “It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United.

“To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight. To have won player of the year awards from both the fans and his teammates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.

“I am personally grateful for the 25 clean sheets he helped provide last season and his overall contribution on the pitch during my first year at the club.

“All the players and staff send him our very best wishes for the next phase of his outstanding career.”

Alejandro Garnacho Signs New Long-Term Contract with Manchester United

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

United Alejandro Garnacho stands…

The 18-year-old Argentine-Spanish professional footballer has committed his long-term future to Manchester United‘s after signing a new contract on Friday.

Garnacho’s new deal will see him remain at Old Trafford until June 2028.

“When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest,” Garnacho said in a statement.

“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.

“We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions.

“The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way, and with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful.

“I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters.”

Meanwhile, United manager Erik ten Hag said the club will not allow the 18-year-old to miss the end of the domestic season to represent Argentina at the Under-20s World Cup.

Garnacho is thought to have asked to join up with his international teammates for the tournament, which Argentina will host between May 20 and June 11.

Garnacho’s involvement would have meant missing United’s final three Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham as well as the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3.

Asked whether Garnacho would join up with Argentina’s Under 20s, Ten Hag said: “No, we don’t release him.”

The winger has been sidelined with an ankle problem sustained in United’s 0-0 draw against Southampton on March 12.

Speaking after Thursday’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham, Ten Hag said Garnacho would step up his comeback on Friday.

“He will return tomorrow in team training, partial, and then we have to see when he can return totally in the team training and then back into games,” Ten Hag added.

Garnacho has registered four goals and five assists from 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Manchester United & David de Gea “Close to Agreeing” to New Contract

Posted on April 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

David de Gea is thisclose to a United layover…

Manchester United is closing in on an agreement with the 32-year-old Spanish professional footballer over a new contract, according to ESPN.

The goalkeeper is approaching the end of his current deal and could leave Old Trafford for free at the end of the season.

United, however, believe they are close to an agreement, which would see De Gea extend his stay while taking a cut in his basic wage but with larger performance-related incentives.

Most of the terms have been finalized although talks are continuing about how the contract is structured.

United also have the option of triggering a one-year extension to his existing deal which is valid until May, but there’s confidence at the club that fresh terms will be in place before that’s necessary.

De Gea has been Erik ten Hag‘s undisputed No.1 since the Dutchman’s arrival last summer, making 47 appearances in all competitions.

He has made more than 500 appearances since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2011. He has won United’s player of the year award four times and lifted the Premier League title, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his 12 years in England.

Alejandro Garnacho Agrees to New Five-Year Deal with Manchester United

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Garnacho has a new deal…

The 18-year-old Argentine-Spanish soccer player has reached an agreement in principle to sign a new five-year deal with Manchester United, pending a few final details related to image rights, according to ESPN.

Garnacho is out of contract in 2024 but the source said there is a financial consensus for him to extend his stay at Old Trafford until 2028.

All that remains to be finalized before the terms can be made official are some aspects relating to the Garnacho’s image rights.

The new deal will see his salary adjusted according to his new status in Erik ten Hag’s squad due to the progress he has made since making his first team debut last April.

Garnacho has since made 27 appearances for United, scoring three goals, and has been one of the revelations of the Premier League season so far.

Negotiations over new terms started a few months ago and a source close to the talks confirmed to ESPN the club and the player have now reached an agreement over the financial elements of the deal and the length of the contract.

His salary will progressively increase as his role in the team grows.

The source says both parties are keen for everything to be tied up and an official announcement could follow in the coming weeks.

Negotiations remain ongoing for United to be sold — with bids from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed — and club officials have been told that, for now, it’s business as usual meaning contract talks with players are unaffected.

Garnacho, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2020, has a Spanish father and an Argentine mother and is eligible to play for both countries.

He has been capped by both Spain and Argentina at youth level and was part of the latter’s preliminary squad for the World Cup, although he did not make the final cut in the end and is yet to debut for Lionel Scaloni‘s world champions.

Edinson Cavani to Join Valencia on Free Transfer

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Edinson Cavani is headed to The Capital of the Turia…

The 35-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer and former Manchester United striker will join Valencia on free transfer, the Spanish club has announced.

The Uruguay team forward was available after his contract expired earlier in summer after spending the last two seasons at Old Trafford.

Cavani has agreed to sign a two-year contract and will be the reference up-front to Italian manager Gennaro Gattuso.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker was at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium to see his new team’s loss to Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Spanish league on Monday.

Valencia won the race to sign the veteran against Real Sociedad, who are still in the market looking for a replacement for Swedish forward Alexander Isak who was sold last week to Newcastle for a 70 million-euros transfer fee.

Cavani arrived on Monday afternoon to Valencia and talked to the local media before passing medical exams with club doctors and signing his new deal.

“I am happy to be here. I wanted to play in Spain and Valencia were willing to bet on me,” Cavani said.

“I like to be where I’m wanted, where I’m loved because you live off the strength of the fans and the club’s love.

“I talked to coach Gennaro Gattuso and Valencia have given me a lot of confidence, so I hope I can give them my best and leave a good image here.”

Cavani began his career at Danubio in Uruguay before making the jump to Europe in 2007, signing with Palermo.

After four seasons in Sicily, he left for Napoli where he scored 104 goals in 138 matches, being Seria A top-goalscorer in 2012-13.

In 2013 he was signed by Paris Saint-Germain where he played for seven seasons and became the top scorer in the club’s history.

He joined Manchester United in 2020, where he played for the last two seasons.

Edinson Cavani Reportedly Commits to Playing with Manchester United Through End of Season

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Edinson Cavani isn’t leaving just yet…

The 34-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer has told Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick that he’ll stay at Old Trafford through the end of the season.

Cavani, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with a January move to Barcelona or a return to South America, but Rangnick has said Cavani has promised to stay until the end of the campaign.

“I told him that if it was up to me I would want him to stay,” Rangnick said.

“I had a conversation with him [on Thursday]. He came into my office and we spoke for almost half an hour and he told me he will definitely stay and would want to stay until the end of the season.

“Not only because I told him that he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf and he told me that I can rely on him to stay until the end of the season and give his very best and be a role model for the young players.

“If he should play from the start, he’s available and he’s happy to play.

“Even if he’s not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible role model for the other players and for me this is good news.”

United and Rangnick begin their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Aston Villa on Monday.

The club have not won a trophy since lifting the Europa League under Jose Mourinho, and Rangnick has promised to pick a strong side against Steven Gerrard‘s Villa.

Villa have already won at Old Trafford this season — a 1-0 victory in September — and since Gerrard’s appointment have climbed to 13th in the table despite losing their last two games to Chelsea and Brentford.

A home game against Middlebrough in the fourth round awaits the winner.

“I’ve always been a big fan, supporter and admirer of the FA Cup,” Rangnick said.

“For me it’s a very important competition. We will definitely try to play with our best possible team in that game and a strong team. We take the game as seriously as we can and hopefully get one round further ahead but in order to do that we have to be successful against Aston Villa.

Edinson Cavani Nearing Two-Year Deal with Manchester United

Posted on October 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Edinson Cavani is thisclose to switching sides…

Manchester United and the 33-year-old Uruguayan soccer player are close to agreeing to a two-year deal, according to ESPN.

Cavani, a free agent since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, has been offered to every major club in Europe but United are now actively working on an agreement that could see the striker travel to England on Sunday for a medical.

Sources told ESPN that talks accelerated quickly on Saturday with final discussions scheduled for Sunday morning.

Cavani is keen to move to Old Trafford and could sign an initial one-year deal with the option for another 12 months.

He has already held talks with a number of clubs this summer. The first offer arrived from Benfica, although they weren’t able to pay as much as he was hoping to receive.

Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Juventus also weighed up making a move but, for various reasons, dropped out of the running for his signature.

The Uruguay international scored 200 goals in 301 games for PSG following his move from Napoli in 2013.

Alexis Sanchez to Play for Inter Milan as Part of Season-Long Loan

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Alexis Sanchez is headed to Italy…

The 30-year-old Chilean professional footballerhas joined Inter Milan on a season-long loan from Manchester United, the clubs have announced.

Sanchez, who joined United from Arsenal in January 2018, struggled to find his best form at Old Traffordand, despite manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaerhaving backed Sanchez to come good, has returned to Serie Awith Inter Milan.

“We can confirm that Alexis Sanchez joins Inter Milan on loan until 30 June 2020. We wish @Alexis_Sanchez the best of luck in Italy,” United wrote in a Twitter post.

Sources told ESPN FC earlier this week that Manchester United had agreed to loan Sanchez for 10 months while contributing around £6 million of his £391,000-a-week salary. Inter are set to pay £9.46m of the 30-year-old’s wages plus a loan fee to United. The deal does not include an option to buy.

Sanchez will join up with Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku who left United for Inter this month in a deal reported to have cost the Serie A club around €80m ($89.15m).

Sanchez, who previously spent three seasons in Serie A with Udinese before moving to Barcelona, is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 43 goals.

“On behalf of the entire Nerazzurri family, we’d like to wish [Sanchez] a very warm welcome and the best of luck,” Inter said in a statement.

He arrives at San Siro as a replacement for Ivan Perisic, who signed for Bayern Munich.

Ander Herrera & Manchester United Still Trying to Finalize New Deal While Other Teams Circle

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Ander Herrera’s popularity is on the rise while he attempts to finalize a deal with his current team…

The 29-year-old Spanish professional soccer star and Manchester United are facing a race against time to find an agreement to keep the midfielder at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season, according to ESPN FC.

Both parties are keen to agree a new contract that would see Herrera stay at United but, according to sources, there’s still a significant gap to be bridged before a deal is sealed.

Meanwhile, ESPN FCreports that Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milanand Barcelona are among the clubs ready to sign Herrera on a free transfer if fresh terms are not agreed upon.

If the stand-off continues, Herrera will officially become a free agent on June 30.

Herrera would like to remain at United, but so far the club, who also want him to stay, have refused to meet his demands and a compromise is yet to be found.

There is a willingness of both sides to come to an agreement but there is also an acknowledgement that the clock is ticking and Herrera may soon be forced to seriously consider other options — especially with some of Europe’s biggest clubs circling.

Herrera is closing in on 200 games for United since arriving from Athletic Bilbaoin a £29 million deal in 2014. He was named player of year in 2017 and has played a key role in the revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the Norwegian’s appointment as caretaker manager in December.

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