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(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United poses with Manager Erik ten Hag after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on…Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Pundit explains why ‘really good signing’ Manuel Ugarte is perfect for Manchester United
Sat 31 August 2024 10:00
Dan Owen
There was one line in particular that stood out when sporting director Dan Ashworth announced Manchester United’s fifth and final first-team signing of the summer transfer window.
Manuel Ugarte, Ashworth says, ‘is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world’.
A tigerish, tenacious, tough-tackling operator – possessing that so-called ‘Garra’ spirit that characterises the best Uruguayan footballers – Ugarte feels like a potentially load-bearing pillar in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United house.
Given the nature of the Red Devils’ struggles last season, a destructive black hole at the heart of their midfield chewing up any hopes they had of securing a top four spot, the £42 million signing from Paris Saint-Gemain could be a pretty cost-effective solution.
Ugarte will not be registered in time to play in Sunday’s derby clash with bitter rivals Liverpool.
Then again, the granite-carved 23-year-old was probably unlikely to feature anyway, and certainly not from the start. He has had no pre-season to speak of, was dumped from Luis Enrique’s PSG plans, and will need some time to get up to speed again.
And that’s without mentioning the fact that Ugarte – who was desperate to join – is completely new to the country, the culture, the club and the league.
But, still, a fully fit and ferocious Ugarte could represent a massive step in the right direction as far as Ten Hag’s Manchester United rebuild goes.
READ: Who is Manuel Ugarte? Everything you need to know on Uruguay midfielder
(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on August 30, 2024 in Manche…
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Manchester United sign Manuel Ugarte from PSG
“He is very aggressive,” Jamie Redknapp, the former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder, tells Sky Sports (30th August, 3pm).
“He is what they probably need.”
While Casemiro has started the season strongly – or, at least, better than he did the last one – the arrival of another bone-shuddering enforcer, and one nine years his junior, should ease Man United’s reliance on the occasionally-brilliant but frequently-flawed Brazilian.
“Casemiro last year, obviously, was a huge disappointment. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to Casemiro. We didn’t know if he was going to be a Manchester United player this season,” Redknapp adds.
“He has come back, he has certainly looked fitter, and that’s what they need. But you also need players that are vying for their positions (to ensure) you don’t them to get too comfortable.
“Ugarte coming in, he is going to be a really good signing. He is aggressive, he wins the ball back. You get the feeling that he is made for the Premier League because that’s an area where they really need to strengthen. It’s hard to find players in that mould.”
Despite links with AC Milan newbie Youssouf Fofana and Fulham’s £25 million man Sander Berge, Ugarte was Man United’s number one midfield target right from the start of the summer window.
United, then, landed not only their first-choice striker target in Joshua Zirzkee and their leading centre-back target in Leny Yoro, but also their priority option in the middle of the park too.
Dan Ashworth is a big fan of the Uruguay ace
“Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer,” Ashworth adds, speaking to the official Manchester United website. “He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level.
“His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.
“Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”
“It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude,” says Ugarte himself. “One that is admired all around the world. The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.
“The passion of supporters is something that is very important to me; I know how incredible United fans are and I cannot wait to experience Old Trafford. I’m someone who is so determined to succeed; I will sacrifice and give everything for my teammates.
“Together, we will fight to win trophies and reach the level where this club needs to be.”
READ MORE: Who is Dan Ashworth? Meet the man who could be set to transform Manchester United
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