Manuel Ugarte breakthrough as INEOS sell trio – Man Utd’s ideal reaction to Brighton loss

Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday served as a reality check for Erik ten Hag and INEOS at the start of the summer transfer window’s final week. The Red Devils have plenty of work to do before Friday’s 11pm deadline and Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford two days later.

United’s first full season under the Sir Jim Ratcliffe regime got off to a winning start as Joshua Zirkzee’s late strike sealed a 1-0 victory against Fulham.

The £36.5million signing’s crucial contribution from the bench endorsed INEOS’ recruitment strategy in their maiden summer at the helm.

But United came crashing back down to earth at the Amex Stadium with the fourth defeat in five meetings with Brighton under Ten Hag.

Amad cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s opener before a bizarre offside mix-up involving Alejandro Garnacho and last week’s hero, Zirkzee, was made all the more crushing by Joao Pedro’s 95th-minute headed winner.

The Seagulls exposed issues still prominent in Ten Hag’s side, which is expected to spring United into action across the coming five days.

Not only do the M16 giants need to recruit in midfield, but multiple first-team players are facing uncertain futures that need resolving.

Express Sport runs through how United must react to disappointment on the south coast before the summer transfer deadline.

Manuel Ugarte finally arrives

It’s no secret that Manuel Ugarte has been United’s first-choice transfer target since wrapping up a £60million double deal for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

But Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made negotiations tricky just one year after splashing £51m to sign him from Sporting Lisbon, despite his status on the periphery of Luis Enrique’s plans.

Ugarte has been absent from PSG’s first two matchday squads of the season and is claimed to have agreed personal terms with United in July.

A deal is expected to be struck between the two clubs in the coming days, potentially in the form of a season-long loan with an obligation to buy next summer.

Three players boost the budget

United have cashed in on Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala, Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Facundo Pellistri in recent months.

They joined released stars Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, Omari Forson and Brandon Williams out the exit door as part of a clearout.

But there is still deadwood present in Ten Hag’s ranks. Victor Lindelof and Jadon Sancho are all up for sale. Meanwhile, United are open to keeping Scott McTominay but will sanction a sale if his £25m asking price is met.

He is primed for a more prominent role than Lindelof and Sancho this season, but his exit could be the key to unlocking a swoop for Ugarte.