Manchester United are gearing up for a major summer overhaul, and the focus is squarely on the midfield, which has been a glaring weakness all season. Under the watchful eye of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS regime, the club has begun targeting players to restore stability and control in the engine room. Chief among those targets is Douglas Luiz, Aston Villa’s midfield linchpin, who United see as the ideal partner for PSG’s Manuel Ugarte — another player high on their shortlist. This combination is meant to finally bring the tenacity and technical skill United have lacked since their glory days.
Luiz has blossomed at Villa under Unai Emery, morphing into a midfielder who not only breaks up play but also dictates tempo and chips in with goals. His tally of seven goals and six assists last season speaks volumes, but it’s his composure and ability to transition swiftly from defense to attack that really makes him stand out. United’s midfield has been crying out for exactly this kind of presence, especially as Casemiro’s influence has waned and Eriksen looks set to move on.
Throughout the season, United’s midfield has been a patchwork. Injuries to key figures like Casemiro and Mason Mount, coupled with the departure of Fred and the decline of Eriksen, left Erik ten Hag constantly shuffling options. No combination ever truly worked, and the lack of cohesion cost the team dearly. Bringing in Luiz would be an immediate upgrade, finally injecting quality and consistency.
Pairing Luiz with Ugarte offers a fascinating balance. Ugarte is known for his defensive aggression, relentless pressing, and knack for dispossessing opponents — attributes that would complement Luiz’s more refined game. While Ugarte has struggled for minutes under Luis Enrique at PSG, his reputation as a ball-winner remains strong. Together, the two could create a partnership reminiscent of Carrick and Fletcher, combining grit and guile to control matches from the middle.
The INEOS project is determined to build a younger, more dynamic core, and Luiz and Ugarte fit the bill perfectly. With Bruno Fernandes continuing as the creative lynchpin and Kobbie Mainoo emerging as a genuine talent, United could have a midfield unit capable of competing with any side in Europe. But as always, quality costs money, and neither player will come cheap.
Aston Villa are in no rush to sell Luiz, who is tied to a long-term contract, but financial regulations and their own recruitment plans could force a sale around £50–60 million. Ugarte is also likely to cost around £40 million, with PSG open to a deal if the right offer comes in. Together, signing both would require over £100 million, a hefty outlay that United will need to balance against other pressing needs in defense and attack.
Moving for Luiz and Ugarte also signals the end of the line for several current players. Casemiro is expected to be moved on, possibly to Saudi Arabia, while Eriksen’s exit feels inevitable. Donny van de Beek will almost certainly be sold, and McTominay’s future is uncertain. Clearing the decks is essential not only to free up wages but to reset the culture of a squad that has grown stale.
If these deals get over the line, United would have options to play a 4-2-3-1 with Luiz and Ugarte shielding the defense, or a 4-3-3 that pushes Luiz forward. Either way, the midfield would have the muscle, intelligence, and discipline that has been missing for years. For once, United seem to be approaching the rebuild with genuine long-term strategy rather than reactive panic — and if it all comes together, it could finally be the foundation for a sustained return to the top.
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