Manchester United Line Up Douglas Luiz and Manuel Ugarte in Midfield Overhaul Under INEOS Era
Manchester United are laying the groundwork for a major summer rebuild — and midfield is the top priority.
Backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, the Red Devils are targeting Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain to anchor a new era at Old Trafford.
With Casemiro’s performances declining and Christian Eriksen expected to leave, United are in dire need of energy, discipline, and control in midfield.
Douglas Luiz has emerged as a prime target, seen as the perfect partner for Ugarte in what could be a new double-pivot system.
Luiz, a standout performer under Unai Emery at Villa, has developed into a complete midfielder.
He’s not only strong defensively but also offers creativity and goal contributions — recording 7 goals and 6 assists last season.
His ability to dictate play and shift between defense and attack has made him a vital part of Villa’s Champions League push.
Meanwhile, Ugarte is known for his defensive prowess. Though he’s struggled for consistent game time at PSG, the Uruguayan remains a top talent — excellent at pressing, intercepting, and shielding the backline.
United see him as a natural fit to provide the steel that would allow Luiz to flourish creatively.
Together, Luiz and Ugarte could form a midfield pairing that offers both grit and grace — something United have lacked since the days of Carrick and Fletcher.
The duo would also complement Bruno Fernandes and rising star Kobbie Mainoo, giving United a flexible and powerful core to build around.
Financially, the deals will be expensive but achievable. Villa are expected to demand around £50–60 million for Luiz, while Ugarte could be available for about £40 million as PSG are open to selling.
The total cost might cross £100 million, but INEOS seem willing to invest in sustainable, long-term talent — especially with United hoping to return to Europe’s elite.
There is competition, notably from Arsenal for Luiz, but United’s new sporting vision, paired with the possibility of Champions League football, could make Old Trafford the more appealing destination.
As United plan for the 2025/26 season, these midfield targets signal a shift from aging stars to prime-age performers with leadership potential.
Luiz (26) and Ugarte (23) both bring South American tenacity and tactical intelligence — traits that could reshape United’s identity and bring long-overdue stability to the team’s core.
If the deals go through, fans could finally see a balanced, aggressive, and technically sound midfield ready to compete at the highest level once again.
