After watching Liverpool run rings round Casemiro in midfield previous to the worldwide break, Manchester United followers prayed that Manuel Ugarte can be obtainable for choice for the upcoming journey to St. Mary’s – and their prayers had been answered.
Talking throughout his press convention on Thursday, supervisor Erik ten Hag confirmed that the brand new signing is about to make his debut in opposition to Southampton this weekend.
So, what can United followers anticipate from the midfielder?
We’re glad you requested.
This is all it’s good to know.
It is the one factor that United followers have been crying out for in midfield, and it is the factor that present starter Casemiro merely would not have the legs to offer anymore.
Ugarte has the youthful legs and lung capability wanted to be the engine room within the Pink Devils’ midfield. If ever watched him play for Uruguay, Sporting CP or Paris Saint-Germain lately, chances are high you’ve got seen Ugarte monitor again to make a thumping problem, then burst out of the defensive third with the ball at his toes, dragging his group upfield within the course of.
That isn’t one thing United followers have witnessed Casemiro do in a really, very very long time.
As United followers will see in the course of the recreation in opposition to Southampton on Saturday, Ugarte’s important energy is his defensive prowess and talent to chop out hazard on the supply in midfield.
When he was within the PSG lineup in 2023/24, Ugarte averaged a moderately mind-blowing 4.11 tackles per 90 minutes, making 98 for his group in simply 25 video games.
No United midfielder has made that many challenges in a single season in any of the final 18 years.
That’s each an indictment on United’s latest midfielders, and a sign of simply how good Ugarte is at studying the sport and successful the ball again for his group.
In addition to having the ability to win possession again for United, Ugarte will likely be fairly adept at maintaining possession too.
The Uruguayan has an honest passing vary in his locker and can be capable to clip the ball lengthy to the Pink Devils’ proficient broad gamers rapidly when vital, in addition to maintaining it easy and taking part in it to the toes of Bruno Fernandes in the course of the park too.
His 91.2% cross completion price at PSG in 2023/24 and his 90% with Uruguay on the Copa America is nothing to be sniffed at.
