United have made bolstering their midfield the main focus this summer, targeting two or three new signings.
The club have already finalised a £35m agreement for Atalanta’s Ederson. However, plans for the 26-year-old to undergo a medical before pre-season begins on 9 July were shelved after he received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Ederson is now expected to complete his medical once Brazil’s campaign ends, then report to Carrington following a mandatory three-week break.
United had shown strong interest in Elliot Anderson but withdrew when it became clear the combined transfer fee and wages needed to sign him from Nottingham Forest would be substantial.
Discussions with West Ham over Portugal international Mateus Fernandes have yet to produce a fee agreement, with Tottenham also interested in the former Southampton player.
United also admire Bournemouth’s Alex Scott—one of four players who joined England’s pre-World Cup training camp despite not making Thomas Tuchel’s final squad—and had a bid for Brighton’s Cameroon international Carlos Baleba rejected last summer.
It is unclear whether a long-term injury to Ugarte would impact the funds United have available for transfers.