dmz23
The OP talks about the Germans going straight for Moscow and ignoring the forces in the Ukraine so Uman doesn't occur. Hence the Soviet armour is still there.
Steve
No, the Op says that Guderians forces were not directed into the Ukraine and continued on to Moscow, thus no battle of kiev. In any case, AGC played no part in the battle of Uman, it was Rundstedts panzer group supported by Romanians/Hungarians that crushed the Soviet forces. Now I can't see why it would be butterflied away just because the AGC is going for Moscow. It was a golden opportunity to weaken Soviet forces on the road to Kiev. Regardless of decisions taken over AGCs objectives, I can't see Rundstedt letting the moment slide and allowing the Soviets time to withdraw and consolidate around Kiev. Uman would definately happen and the Soviet AFVs would get smashed up just like OTL and just like OTL the remaining AFVs would end up defending Kiev.
Overall though Rundstedts Army group has to keep up the pressure on the Soviets in the south, to prevent them from transferring units to the central front and generally mucking up German plans. It would be pretty much critical to have AGS's offensive ops continue if the Germans go for Moscow IMO.