Erik ten Hag in talks to block Manuel Ugarte from taking dream Man United shirt number

Manuel Ugarte could be blocked from taking his preferred No.4 shirt at Manchester United if Erik ten Hag decides to keep Sofyan Amrabat.

United have received approval to sign Uruguay star Ugarte from both the player and Paris Saint-Germain. The interest in Ugarte comes amid uncertainty in the defensive-midfield position, with Casemiro seemingly past his prime and Ten Hag set for talks to weigh up whether Amrabat will be signed on a permanent deal this summer.

Amrabat spent last term on loan with the Red Devils, joining from Fiorentina for an initial £8.5million fee and a £21.5m option to make the move permanent. His first season in England produced mixed results with Ten Hag using him sparingly.

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He started just 17 matches and went five months without starting a Premier League game until he was included in the line-up for the home defeat to Arsenal in the second last week of the season.

However, after a standout performance in the FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City, United have been considering offering him a permanent deal.

Ten Hag, who is expected to sign a new multi-year contract to continue as United manager, will soon discuss the possibility of purchasing Amrabat with incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

Amrabat is still featured in the first-team players section on United's website. He was also included in the promotion for their new jersey.

If the Moroccan stays at Old Trafford, Ugarte may need to choose a different number from his current No. 4 shirt at PSG. Yet that might not be a major issue, given that it hasn't exactly brought him luck in Paris.

Ugarte joined PSG last year in a £51m transfer but is now anticipated to depart after failing to make an impact under Luis Enrique. He has a history of donning various shirt numbers throughout his career, previously wearing 20, 8, 15 and 14 for his club sides and currently the No.5 for Uruguay.

Out of his previous shirt numbers, Ugarte could only hope for the No 15 shirt as Harry Maguire currently occupies the No 5 while Bruno Fernandes wears 8, Christian Eriksen dons 14 and Diogo Dalot is United's No 20.

United, meanwhile, have had a less than fortunate record when it comes to those who have worn the No.4 jersey in the past. Prior to Amrabat, the shirt was worn by Phil Jones, Owen Hargreaves, Gabriel Heinze, Juan Sebastien Veron and David May.