Galatasaray now prioritising January move to sign Manuel Ugarte amid Man Utd struggles

A Champions League club have now set their sights on signing a Manchester United star in a January deal, reportedly making it their priority to secure his signature.

Amorim “really confident” despite Wolves draw

It’s been one step forwards and two steps backwards for Man United all season. Just when they think they’ve found the solution, another frustrating evening arrives and that’s exactly what happened against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The visitors entered Old Trafford with just two points to their name all season and a record in front of goal which suggested that three centre-backs was never going to be necessary. By the halfway mark, however, the struggling Midlands side had outperformed the Red Devils and levelled things up at 1-1.

It was a dismally familiar display from Man United, who couldn’t find the breakthrough back in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system and eventually handed Wolves just their third point all season.

For all the negatives, though, Amorim decided to remain positive at full-time. He told reporters: “I’m really confident. We just need to recover all the players, and I’m really confident.

“I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the season. Then we will make the resume of the season. But I’m really confident when we recover all the players that we are going to be a strong team. There is no doubts in my mind.”

Whether that relaxed stance arrives with the knowledge of Man United’s January plans remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the Red Devils need reinforcements in midfield.

Once again, the partnership of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte failed to bare fruit for those at Old Trafford with Jack Fletcher also struggling to impress from the bench. In many ways, it sums up United’s desperate need for a midfielder that it was young Fletcher who was called on in the second-half.

Alas, if recent reports are anything to go by, things could get worse before they get better for United’s squad depth.

Galatasaray prioritising Ugarte deal

As reported by Caught Offside, Galatasaray are now prioritising a deal to sign Ugarte in the January transfer window. The Turkish giants want to land a loan deal which will include a €20m (£17m) buy option. Despite competition from the likes of Lyon and Napoli, Galatasaray reportedly believe that buy option should put them out ahead.

The initial reaction around Old Trafford will be relief if Ugarte leaves. The South American has struggled ever since arriving even though many tipped him to solve Man United’s midfield problems. Showing him the exit door should be near the top of Amorim’s priorities.

But Man United must find a replacement before anything. They cannot afford to let their £120,000-a-week man leave without welcoming a key upgrade. Without him, Amorim would be forced to turn to the likes of Fletcher on a permanent basis in the absence of the injured Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

Ugarte’s struggles are clear for all to see, there’s no doubt about that. This is, however, the wrong time to show him the door.