MEN: £87m duo signed by INEOS now ‘likely to push’ for summer exits after being phased out by Carrick

Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are reportedly two players who are ‘likely to push’ for Manchester United exits this summer, as per Manchester Evening News .

It comes after the club agreed deals worth a combined £87 million to bring the duo to Old Trafford in 2024.

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Since making their respective moves, neither have played prominent roles as concrete, consistent starters.

For Zirkzee, he was vying with Rasmus Hojlund for minutes across his maiden campaign, and has struggled even more so this term due to the additions of Benjamin Sesko, who replaced Hojlund, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

As a result, the Dutch international has been given the nod only four times in the Premier League, with his other 14 appearances coming as a substitute.

What’s more, he has been an unused option for 11 matches, making it no surprise he’s angling for a premature exit.

As for Ugarte, he has floated in and out of favour throughout his 19-month tenure, but now sits much lower than he’d like in the pecking order after Kobbie Mainoo reclaimed his place under Michael Carrick.

Throughout 2024/2025, the 24-year-old started 22 times in the league and featured a further seven times in substitute appearances.

However, this time around, he has made the starting XI only seven times in United’s 31 games played.

(Ugarte and Zirkzee’s records since Carrick was appointed)

Tyrone Marshall’s report adds that United would need to generate around £52m from the pair’s exit in order to avoid ‘accounting loss’ on the transactions.

Replacements will also be necessary, with midfield signings anticipated to take priority for INEOS in the coming months as they prepare for the release of seasoned veteran Casemiro.

– Monday, 30 March 2026

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