Manchester United’s latest transfer target caused an uproar after a rude gesture towards Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul.
Erik ten Hag is expected to stay on as United manager after reports emerged that he would be sacked after the FA Cup final, and will now look to strengthen his squad in the transfer window.
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This includes signing a new defensive midfielder after Casemiro’s turbulent season, with Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte a popular target.
The Uruguayan international is known for his tenacity and tackling and is not afraid to take on the big names.
And they can hardly be much bigger than against Messi, who faced Ugarte when Argentina played Uruguay in a 2023 World Cup qualifier.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team emerged victorious, with Ronald Araujo and Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez scoring the goals for a 2-0 victory.
It was Argentina’s first defeat since winning the World Cup in Qatar a year earlier, and tempers flared when an opposing player attempted to lift Messi off the ground after a foul.
A fight broke out and footage showed Ugarte making a crude gesture towards De Paul in reference to Messi.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez stepped in to defuse the situation, prompting De Paul to shout at the midfielder.
Messi was also not happy with the situation and attacked Ugarte in his post-match press conference.
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The Inter Miami superstar said: “It’s normal. In games like this, qualifying games, against Uruguay, it’s always like that.”
“I prefer not to say what I think. Young people must learn to respect their elders.”
“This classic was always intense, hard, but always with a lot of respect. They still have something to learn.”
As The Pitch Prospect has learned, an offer from PSG for Ugarte was already rejected by United this summer.
However, the transfer is not yet complete and the Red Devils could make a second offer.
The 23-year-old has played 37 games for PSG and won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions with them.
He only joined the French giants from Sporting last season, having beaten Chelsea to the team.