Last season, Man United manager Erik ten Hag encountered significant difficulties with veteran midfielder Casemiro, leading to a potential interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.
United’s defense was frequently breached, with Casemiro struggling to provide adequate protection. The pursuit of Ugarte was expected to advance after PSG acquired Portuguese star Joao Neves, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his board remain hesitant to meet the Uruguayan’s high asking price.
Manchester United’s Surprise Alternative to Ugarte
Sources from CaughtOffside now suggest that United may consider an unexpected alternative, even as Scott McTominay could still leave the club during this transfer window.
Burnley, an English Championship side, is not likely to part with Sander Berge cheaply. However, Berge’s agents have reportedly approached United regarding his availability. While it is unclear if United will prioritize Berge’s transfer, he is considered a cost-effective option.
Ugarte’s transfer fee is believed to be over £50 million, whereas Berge, 26, could be available for approximately £20 million to £24 million. Turkish club Fenerbahce has also shown interest in Berge, but the financial terms are not yet agreeable for Jose Mourinho’s new team.
With several weeks remaining in the current transfer window, there is still ample time to finalize deals. Despite rumors of Casemiro moving to the Saudi Pro League cooling off, he is likely to remain a United player for the season opener. His substantial weekly wages of £350,000 could be a sticking point, even for Saudi clubs. Casemiro and his representatives might need to consider reducing their demands to facilitate a move, potentially setting off a chain of events that benefits all involved parties.
