Twist in Manchester United pursuit of Manuel Ugarte as they try new approach

Manuel Ugarte remains keen on a move to Old Trafford (Picture:Getty Images)

Manchester United are trying a new way of getting a deal for Manuel Ugarte over the line, pivoting to a loan move with an obligation to buy the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

The Red Devils have been pursuing the Uruguayan all summer and agreed personal terms with him back in July.

The 23-year-old is keen on the switch to Old Trafford, despite only moving to PSG last year, but a deal is proving difficult to strike between the clubs.

PSG have been demanding a fee of €70million (£58.8m) for the midfielder, but Manchester United have not been willing to meet that demand.

It has appeared that there is a deal there to be done, though, with reports in the French media this week suggesting Ugarte’s prospects at PSG looked bleak, overlooked by manager Luis Enrique and left out of training matches.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the Red Devils are trying a new way of getting their man, now working on a loan deal, with an obligation to buy at the end of that short-term move.

With both clubs and the player seemingly set on getting the move made, it is likely an agreement can be reached, but it is not a certainty given the struggles they have had to strike a deal so far.

Joshua Zirkzee scored the only goal of Manchester United’s opener against Fulham (Picture: Getty Images)

United have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui so far.

Zirkzee made an instant impact, coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game in the season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Mazraoui also impressed on debut in that contest, while De Ligt made a brief cameo, while Yoro is recovering from a serious foot injury.

Despite the arrival of Zirkzee and the signing of Rasmus Hojlund for an initial £64m last year, the Red Devils are still being linked with a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

The England striker was left out of their squad on the opening weekend and is believed to be available for around £50m.

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