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Manchester United are said to be monitoring Southampton midfielder Shea Charles as a cost-effective alternative to Manuel Ugarte, in the event the Uruguayan leaves the club this summer.
United are looking to bring in multiple midfielders ahead of next season. Casemiro's departure has already been confirmed, while Ugarte is increasingly being linked with a move away after falling out of favor. This could leave Kobbie Mainoo as the sole central midfielder in the first-team squad.
The club is expected to pursue high-profile options for Casemiro's replacement—names such as Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba continue to be mentioned, with all commanding nine-figure valuations.
However, the Daily Mail reports that United's recruitment team is monitoring a wide range of potential signings, with Charles on their shortlist should finances be constrained by a failure to secure Champions League football. For now, a top-three finish looks likely given their firm grip on third place in the league.
Shea Charles's Manchester, Jason Wilcox Connection
Charles grew up in Manchester and spent 12 years in the academy at the Etihad Campus with Manchester City. He made just one senior appearance before departing in 2023, joining Southampton in a deal overseen by Jason Wilcox, who now serves as United's director of football.
The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international—who qualifies through his mother—carries a price tag of $26.5 million (£20 million). He was absent from Southampton's Premier League campaign last season despite contributing to their promotion push, having been affected by a tactical reshuffle. He spent the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday instead, and has since returned to Southampton as they push for another promotion.
Charles came off the bench in the second half as Southampton knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Saturday, netting the decisive late winner.
Should United's interest become official, they could face competition from Everton and two other undisclosed Premier League clubs. Rangers would love to enter the race, but the Scottish outfit are unable to match the financial power of English top-flight rivals.
Four Clubs Interested in Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte's time at Manchester United has not unfolded as hoped.
He made his name at Sporting CP as a key figure in Ruben Amorim's title-winning side before securing a lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain. He impressed initially in the French capital, generating considerable excitement among United supporters ahead of his arrival in the summer of 2024.
The subsequent sacking of Erik ten Hag brought Ugarte back under Amorim's management, raising hopes of a fresh start. Yet the partnership has never truly flourished. Early in the current campaign, Amorim opted for Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role alongside Casemiro, and Ugarte has yet to earn a starting berth under interim boss Michael Carrick across his first 10 matches in charge.
Nevertheless, at just 24, he has plenty of football ahead of him and could attract significant interest in the summer window. Reports suggest Juventus, Napoli, Ajax and Galatasaray are all keeping tabs on him. Having played in Portugal, France and England since moving to Europe five years ago, a switch to Italy could prove to be an ideal next step.