Manchester United hopes one player shines at the World Cup to secure a good sale; 13 participants confirmed, Casemiro's final contribution

Manuel Ugarte is one of the players Manchester United intends to sell in the summer transfer window, yet his displays last season were far from impressive. Despite interest from clubs like Turkish side Galatasaray, a lucrative sale seems unlikely. Hence, the club is counting on him to shine at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico to lure buyers and increase his market worth.

At Manchester United, Ugarte has not featured since the 0-1 home loss to Leeds United. That match marked Leeds' first league victory at Old Trafford since 1981, and Carrick clearly lost trust in Ugarte, preferring to drop Mason Mount into a deeper midfield role or bring on academy youngster Tyler Fletcher. Data shows that United won only one of the ten matches Ugarte started this season.

Carrick continues to publicly support the midfielder's condition, but his subsequent refusal to give Ugarte any game time speaks volumes.

After the season ended, Ugarte returned to Uruguay, stating that for months his focus has been on the World Cup rather than Manchester United. "In recent months, all my energy has been on the World Cup," Ugarte said. "This wasn't my best year at United. But I later realized I had shifted my focus to the World Cup. I gave everything for the World Cup; every minute I played was for the World Cup."

Ugarte added, "All my training, whether high-intensity or rest, has been geared toward the World Cup. I feel good, very excited, and focused. Our goal is to approach the World Cup with the same form we had at the Copa América, where our preparation was crucial. We have a few days left to reach that level. Participating in the World Cup is an honor for anyone; those selected are fortunate, and we must give our all."

Ugarte refused to comment on whether he would transfer after the World Cup but hinted that leaving United is not out of the question. "I'm not thinking about what comes next, but the best thing at the end of a career is representing your country at the World Cup. I want to enjoy the tournament and push my limits," Ugarte said. "Manchester United is one of the best clubs in the world, but the World Cup will have a crucial impact on everything. I'm open to whatever the future holds."

He concluded, "Not everything went well this year, but I learned a lot mentally. I'm surrounded by good people, and I try to take the positives from it. We'll see what happens at the World Cup. Regardless of the outcome, I believe it will be something good."

Manchester United paid €60 million to sign Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain, with €50 million fixed and €10 million in add-ons. However, finding a buyer willing to pay around £20 million for him now seems difficult.

Without the World Cup, in a normal transfer window, very few clubs would be interested in Ugarte, and United might have to accept a loan deal with a buy option. But the World Cup should increase his chances of finding a potential new club.

Ugarte remains a key player for the Uruguay national team. If he can prove himself on the global stage of the World Cup and demonstrate his abilities to European clubs again, it could create an excellent transfer opportunity. He may not suit the pace and passing demands of the Premier League, but he might find his place in other leagues.

Uruguay finished third in the 2024 Copa América, but were eliminated in the group stage of the last World Cup. The team is still coached by Marcelo Bielsa, who highly values Ugarte. Uruguay has a favorable group and should advance, as their group opponents are only Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde.

Ugarte is one of 13 Manchester United players participating in this tournament, a number that includes Casemiro. However, if Brazil advances from the group stage, "Fat Tiger" will no longer belong to the Red Devils in the knockout rounds, as his contract expires on June 30.

Notably, Casemiro will generate one last income for Manchester United this June. According to FIFA rules, clubs receive compensation of $11,000 per day for each player called up for the World Cup.

United's 12.5 participating players (counting partially) tie with Crystal Palace and Al-Hilal for sixth place on the list of clubs with the most World Cup internationals, bringing in a decent amount of revenue. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, United had 14 players and earned $3.32 million, ranking second in the Premier League behind Manchester City's $5.58 million.

Manchester United's participating players have already received their shirt numbers: Ugarte and Casemiro both wear No. 5. Casemiro's Brazilian teammate Matheus Cunha has been given the iconic No. 9 jersey, previously worn by Ronaldo.

For Portugal, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes still wears the No. 8 shirt, while his teammate Diogo Dalot has also been given the No. 5. Taylor Fletcher, who surprisingly made Scotland's squad as a replacement for Billy Gilmour, has taken Gilmour's former No. 8.

Belgium's Sena Lammens and Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayındır will both wear the No. 12 shirt as backup goalkeepers. In Africa, Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo has been assigned No. 15, while Noussair Mazraoui takes No. 3 for Morocco.

In the England squad, Manchester United's young star Kobbie Mainoo has been given the No. 16 shirt, while Marcus Rashford, still with United, wears No. 11. For reigning champions Argentina, World Cup winner Lisandro Martínez will don the No. 6 jersey, the same number he uses at Manchester United.