Man Utd target Manuel Ugarte will miss out on dream shirt number on Deadline Day

Matthijs de Ligt is set to deny Manuel Ugarte his dream shirt number at . Ugarte, 23, is on the brink of finalising his £50million move to Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday. The star has been at the top of United's wish-list for a new defensive midfielder all summer.

However, should United sign him before deadline day closes, he won't be able to feature against due to his signing not having been confirmed before midday. The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us! Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens..



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If you’re curious, you can read our . Ugarte won't be donning the No.4 shirt as he did in Paris, since De Ligt claimed that following his £42m switch from earlier this month.

The Uruguay international will instead have to choose a number further down the list, not even the No. 15 which he wore for Sporting Lisbon previously, as that is now owned by another new United recruit, Leny Yoro. Ugarte spent two seasons with Sporting until 2023, where he established himself as one of Europe's most promising defensive midfielders.

The 23-year-old joined the Lisbon giants from Famalicao, another team in the Portuguese top flight. During his two years there, Ugarte chose to wear the No. 8 shirt which at United is worn by captain Bruno Fernandes.

Going back to his early days, during his first four seasons of professional football with Uruguayan side Fenix, he wore the numbers 20 and 26, the latter of which is available at Old Trafford. As for his international career, Ugarte now sports the No. 5 shirt, which is currently held by Harry Maguire at United.

His past shirt numbers include 20, 6, 25, 15 and 17. All of these are presently occupied within the Red Devils' squad, although the No. 25 could be up for grabs if Jadon Sancho, who is keen to leave, finalises a move to or Juventus before the deadline.

The No. 13 jersey, typically reserved for goalkeepers, is also available at United, along with No.19, left vacant by Raphael Varane in June.

Any number from 26 to 34 is up for grabs, as well as 38, 40, 42, 45 and any from 47 upwards. Ugarte could take over the No. 39 shirt, with Scott McTominay set to join Napoli.

The 27-year-old Scotland international is the subject of a £25m deal between the two clubs and is currently in Italy wrapping up the move to join Antonio Conte's team..