Manchester United are set to sign the 23-year-old midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain as their fifth signing of the summer, barring any last-minute deadline day drama

Manchester United passed on signing two midfielders in their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Devils are set to make the 23-year-old their fifth signing of the summer, barring a last-minute deadline day scramble - in what will also be their final signing of the transfer window.

United will pay an initial PS42.2 million for the Uruguayan, who has been their primary target to reinvigorate their midfield all summer.

Despite Ugarte agreeing personal terms in July, the reigning Ligue 1 champions have made United work hard to get a deal over the line. The club even prepared themselves for walking away from the deal if an agreement failed to materialise.

Under new minority ownership Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and INEOS, United have swerved away from their previous transfer philosophy of splurging big money on ageing targets.

The recent sales of Facundo Pellistri to Panathinaikos and Hannibal Mejbri to Burnley enabled United to free up the necessary financial space to reach an agreement with PSG.

However, United were prepared if no such deal could be struck.

According to the Daily Mail , the two names mentioned internally if Ugarte was unavailable were Dutch duo Jerdy Schouten and Teun Koopmeiners.

Manuel Ugarte is on the verge of a move to Manchester United ( Image:

Manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly a fan of his fellow Dutchman, and if Ugarte negotiations had stalled, would have been keen to get a deal done.

Koopmeiners was also mooted as a potential replacement. However, he joined Juventus from Atalanta on Wednesday for PS46 million.

The official arrival of Ugarte will please United fans, who were left ruing underwhelming performances in the middle of the park from the veteran Casemiro, while injury blighted Mason Mount's season.

United are still not finished in the transfer window. Offloading Jadon Sancho before Friday night's deadline remains a priority. Juventus and Chelsea are said to be battling for the winger's signature after he failed to make Ten Hag's game-day squad against Fulham and Brighton.

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