Manuel Ugarte needs to start against Southampton: Man United Weekly Takeaway

Manchester United’s midfield is an issue.

Many would suggest it was one of the biggest contributing factors to United’s worst-ever Premier League finish in the 2023/24 season. The Red Devils have been in need of a midfield overhaul for a few years, especially since the departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic in the summer of 2022.

Three central midfielders have been purchased since then. The first was Casemiro, whose recent slump in form has thrown his role in Ten Hag’s current plans in doubt. The other two were Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, who have struggled to establish a position in the middle of the park for United.

Throughout the summer transfer window, there was a lot of discussion around what type of midfielder the club should recruit in order to maximise the strengths of young sensation, Kobbie Mainoo, and it wasn’t until Deadline Day, that United brought in Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. But how will the new midfield work and what will Ugarte bring to a struggling United side?

After signing Ugarte for £42m plus add-ons, it is likely that Ten Hag will line-up his team for the upcoming season with a midfield three of Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, but he will also have the option of lining him up alongside Casemiro or Mount.

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Off the ball, Ugarte’s stats show that we could see a big improvement in United’s midfield. He averages more tackles, interceptions and duels won per 90 minutes than any other Manchester United midfielder.

In Europe’s top 5 leagues last season, only Joao Palhinha won more tackles on average per game than Ugarte. His endurance and high intensity in the centre of the park can be likened to Fred and Ander Herrera which makes him an almost certain fan favourite.

However, there are questions about his large space coverage and aerial ability, something that has been a glaring problem in the United midfield over the last year, so it remains to be seen whether a double pivot of Ugarte and Mainoo will work. Ugarte is primarily used in a double pivot rather than as a lone 6, so should have a good understanding of the role. There should not be any concerns over his aggression or tenacity, but perhaps should be over his variety of passing and his lack of expansion in build-up.

On paper, it looks like it could be a shrewd piece of business from United, but we are yet to see how it will work on the pitch and may get the first glimpse of that after the international break if Ugarte is selected in the squad to face Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.