Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brighton, sealed by a late winner from Joao Pedro, heaped more pressure on the manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag. This Webb defeat signals what looks to be a bleak start to the campaign, with the fans of United left concerned about what lies ahead for the club. One week before the close of the summer transfer window, the defeat occurred at the worst possible time. The Red Devils have been scrambling to complete the unfinished business of two big issues: Jadon Sancho's future and the possible arrival of Manuel Ugarte. This created more than one story when Jamie Carragher made cryptic comments about a move for Cole Palmer. Let's find out in this post what these transfer sagas are all about, with regard to this particular move and possibly what it will mean for Manchester United's season.
The Sancho Conundrum: A Star in Limbo
Jadon Sancho's time at Manchester United after his highly publicized move from Borussia Dortmund hasn't been easy for him. Once heralded as one of Europe's best young talents, Sancho has rather run into inconsistency, injury, and off-field problems during his time at Old Trafford. His relationship with Erik ten Hag has been under the microscope, especially since the well-publicized falling out last season. The latest twist of events in the saga was probably Sancho's exclusion from United's all-important Premier League fixture with Brighton, despite having traveled to the South Coast with the squad.
That omission truly raised eyebrows and threw up a lot of speculation regarding his future at the club. As much as the process of reconciliation is being started on the part of the player and the manager, the signs are that Sancho cannot feel secure in his position at United. Speaking ahead of the Brighton game to TNT Sports, Erik ten Hag said: "He's here, but I have a choice to make. We had some issues, but we need a full squad. He's one of them and he has to compete for his position. Game to game, we will have a look.". "But in the squad, every position we need double because it's going to be a long season."
Ten Hag appeared to say all the right things to suggest that Sancho does have a future with him and Ajax, but the winger will have to earn his place on the field. That said, days are running out in the transfer window, and speculation over a possible move is gaining traction. The most likely destination would definitely be Juventus, but the negotiation games have come to a standstill at this moment between the two clubs. United is believed to be requiring £40 million for a permanent sale, an amount that Juventus is not willing to part with for the moment. The Italian club is trying to push through a loan deal with an option to buy, but United would rather a clean break.
In total, this has left the Red Devils fans in divided stands over Sancho's future. Parties are torn between the club cashing in on the winger to reinvest elsewhere in the squad and others who feel like Sancho is deserving of a bit more of this time. The next days will be decisive for the determination of this saga, and, obviously, Erik ten Hag has a painful decision to make.
Ugarte's Saga: A Deal in the Offing
While the market had been dominated by the Sancho situation, Manchester United have been heavily foreseen to go in for Manuel Ugarte. The PSG midfielder is not a secret to the United camp, and the deal now looks close to completed. His potential move to Old Trafford has really raised spirits among the fans, who see him as the missing piece in that United midfield puzzle.
The 22-year-old Uruguayan is one of the shining lights in that team—tenacious in character, a ball-winner, and tactically intelligent. Many compare his style of play with some of the best defensive midfielders in the game, so, really, it is no wonder Erik ten Hag is hot on the pursuit; however, the deal has been anything but straightforward.
Reports running in L'Equipe have it that Ugarte is holding out for his agent, Jorge Mendes, to make the last loose ends to the deal before he leaves for England. It is frustrating for the supporters, who have seen him in a United shirt. The deal was said to be held up by the need for United to offload players to bring in further funds, with the deal being branded a large agreement by sources.
Although the transfer has been delayed, there is optimism that the deal will be completed shortly. With Ugarte in the line-up, this will greatly improve the midfield section which, on a few occasions, has appeared to be quite frail this season for United. His immense ability to break play and screen defenders would allow United's creative midfielders to come to the fore, his presence being just the panacea the club needs in their quest for silverware.
Getting the signature of Ugarte is, therefore, of utmost importance. With a more competitive setting in the Premier League, a strong midfield is a necessity for any team that eyes the possible trophy challenge. United's rivals have all been making a rise and improvement in their squad, and getting Ugarte would also help United step up the level.
Jamie Carragher's Bold Prediction: Cole Palmer to United?
As if all the Sagas of Sancho and Ugarte were not enough to keep United fans on the edge of their seats, Jamie Carragher has added another layer of intrigue by declaring that Cole Palmer—this amazingly talented teenager bound to break out—could be the latest going into United within a year.
Forward, he left Manchester City for Chelsea last season and has risen meteorically. The 22-year-old winger managed to score 25 goals in all competitions in his first campaign for Chelsea, quickly putting him as one of the most exciting young prospects in the game in this country. His displays have seen him linked with a host of top clubs around Europe, and United could be next, according to Carragher.
Speaking on The Overlap with Sky Bet, Carragher said, "If Chelsea have another poor season, we were talking earlier about Manchester United having a real problem on that right wing. Something's just come to me here. If United are still looking for someone to fill that role, Palmer could be the perfect fit."
While many have suggested that Carragher's comments have sparked this potential talk around a Palmer move, as usual, this seems to be mere speculation for the time being. But with United's issues widely reported in the media over the right side of the attack, adding player quality such as that of Palmer can only be good. The prospect of Palmer featuring alongside this great trio—Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Mason Mount, in no particular order—has to be exciting and, for certain, would strengthen the striking power of Manchester United even more.
Conclusion - A Defining Week for Manchester United
Defining days loom for Manchester United as its season hurtles toward a pivotal juncture in the final week of the transfer window. The futures of Jadon Sancho and Manuel Ugarte still hang in the balance as some really important decisions are now likely to be made by the management. The most sensitive is Sancho's situation, which could be facing the crossroads in his career at Old Trafford. Whether he stays or goes will likely determine much of how United fare this season, both on and off the pitch.
Ugarte, on the other hand, would bring that same stability to United's midfield. His presence would add a little steel without burdening the more creative players in the team. It would be a big coup for the club, should the deal be completed.
To cap it off, Jamie Carragher's two cents on Cole Palmer have, in essence, added another twist to the transfer story. The glimpse not coming this summer—meaning United fans will be keeping an extremely close eye on any progress in getting this genius young player.
"Thenext few days ultimately will be to the point for Manchester United as the decisions, said, that would have been taken within this period will actually shape the club's season and will determine whether they will be in a position to be competing at the higher level. As always the transfer window is set up full of surprises and the United fans will be hoping the Club can get it right this year and set themselves up for the success they long for.".
