Manchester United’s latest transfer target caused a fracas after a crude gesture directed at Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul.
Erik ten Hag is set to stay as manager of United after reports emerged that he would be sacked after the FA Cup final and he is now set to bolster his squad in the transfer window.
And that includes signing a new defensive midfielder after a torrid campaign from Casemiro, with Paris Saint-Germain ace Manuel Ugarte a top target.
The Uruguay international is famed for his tenacity and tackling, and he is not afraid to make a nuisance of himself against the big names.
And they do not come much bigger than against Messi, who faced off against Ugarte when Argentina played Uruguay at a World Cup qualifier in 2023.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men emerged victorious with Ronald Araujo and Liverpool‘s Darwin Nunez scoring in a 2-0 win.
It was the first time Argentina had lost since winning the World Cup in Qatar a year before and tempers flared when an opposition player attempted to pick Messi up off the floor after he had been challenged.
A fracas broke out and footage caught Ugarte making a crude gesture at De Paul, referencing Messi.
Chelsea‘s Enzo Fernandez jumped in to diffuse the situation with De Paul screaming back at the midfielder in response.
Messi was not happy about the situation either, hitting out at Ugarte in his post-match press conference.
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The Inter Miami superstar said: “It’s normal. These kinds of games, qualifiers, against Uruguay, it’s always like that.
“I prefer not to say what I think. Young people have to learn to respect from their elders.
“This classic was always intense, hard, but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little.”
United had a bid rejected by PSG for Ugarte already this summer, talkSPORT understands.
However, the move is not dead in the water yet and the Red Devils could make a second offer.
The 23-year-old has made 37 appearances for PSG, where he has won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions.
He only signed for the French giants last season from Sporting after beating Chelsea to his signature.
