Manuel Ugarte may be living his final days at Manchester United.

Manuel Ugarte is about to experience his final moments as a player for Manchester United, with only seven games remaining before an inevitable departure next summer. After just two years at Old Trafford, the Uruguayan midfielder, initially touted as the “engine” of the midfield, is on his way to becoming one of the victims of the club’s ambitious renovation plan, driven by the INEOS group.

The truth is harsh for Ugarte. Despite having multiple opportunities to cement his place in the first team, the 24-year-old midfielder has failed to meet the expectations of United’s management. In recent months, his appearances on the pitch have often been associated with moments of defensive frailty and loss of control in the game, which has generated concerns among fans whenever they see him warming up on the bench.

Since Michael Carrick’s arrival as interim manager in January, Ugarte’s situation has worsened even further. Carrick quickly restored Kobbie Mainoo to the midfield alongside Casemiro, relegating the Uruguayan to a secondary role. The lack of playing time, a consequence of United’s absence from European competitions and early exits from the Cups, has exacerbated the situation for Ugarte and for other players outside the main options, such as Joshua Zirkzee.

The future of Manuel Ugarte is, therefore, mapped out. Manchester United aims to strengthen its midfield during the upcoming transfer window, especially following the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who will be released as a free agent. The Uruguayan will not be part of this project and will be negotiated in the summer, with several teams already showing interest.

Ben Jacobs, a journalist for The United Stand, revealed in exclusive statements that Ugarte will be “the victim of the midfield overhaul at United, even with Casemiro’s departure.” Jacobs adds that the most favorable scenario for the player would be a secondary role in the squad, should reinforcements arrive and Mainoo have his contract renewed.

International inquiries abound: Ajax has made an official approach, and French clubs, including Monaco, are also keeping an eye on the situation. Beyond Europe, emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey are emerging as potential destinations for the midfielder.

Manuel Ugarte, who joined United from Paris Saint-Germain, saw his dream in England fade quickly, but he may still have an interesting future on other stages of world football. The summer promises to be decisive for this athlete who, for now, is preparing to say goodbye to the club where he was unable to establish himself as the key player many expected.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.