2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (George Smith)
Few players have benefitted more from Manchester United's decision to sack Erik ten Hag than Manuel Ugarte. The defensive-midfielder, who joined United from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the summer transfer window, struggled for minutes prior to the Dutchman's exit on October 28, making just seven appearances, only four of which were starts. United spent almost all summer chasing Ugarte in their quest to shore up their midfield, and they reached a breakthrough in negotiations in the closing stages of the transfer window.
He signed a five-year deal after United agreed a £42.3million fee with the French club. READ MORE: Chido Obi-Martin marks landmark United moment by scoring again for Under-18s READ MORE: Ruben Amorim could unleash new midfield vs Everton to give United fans what they want Ugarte was expected to immediately slot into Ten Hag's first-choice midfield and provide the defensive steel that had been lacking.
However, Ten Hag was reluctant to pick him, handing him just one Premier League start. It was revealed by the Manchester Evening News at the end of October that the Uruguayan was Ten Hag's third-choice midfield signing during the summer. However, Ten Hag's exit marked a watershed moment in Ugarte's United career.
He started each of Ruud van Nistelrooy's four games in interim charge, developing a strong bond with Casemiro at the base of United's midfield. It was a partnership that developed over Van Nistelrooy's four games at the helm, with the summer signing producing arguably his best performance in United colours in the 3-0 win over Leicester City prior to the international break. The 23-year-old won eight tackles - the most a United player ever has in a Premier League fixture since such data started being recorded - and produced three interceptions against the Foxes, highlighting his ball-winning capabilities in the centre of midfield.
His ball-winning expertise is the reason United were so keen to bring him to Old Trafford in the summer. Sporting director Dan Ashworth said at the time of Ugarte's arrival: "Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer. "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 Ugarte has shown why Manchester United made the decision to sign him. (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images.
) Ugarte provided further evidence of his ball-winning capabilities in Thursday night's 3-2 Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt after being recalled to the starting XI by Ruben Amorim, who named him on the bench away at Ipswich Town. He won four tackles and made two interceptions against the Norwegian side. He also provided the assist for Rasmus Hojlund's winner.
Of course, sterner tests lie ahead for both Ugarte and United, but he has demonstrated in recent weeks he can be the midfield anchor this team has been crying out for. He is the perfect shield for the defence, and his profile makes him the perfect foil for Kobbie Mainoo, who is still waiting to earn his first appearance since Amorim took charge. Ugarte, who worked with Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, will have ambitions of becoming a regular in Amorim's side.
Many anticipate he and Mainoo will form Amorim's first-choice midfield partnership. Producing 19 tackles in six games since Ten Hag's departure, Ugarte is slowly beginning to show why the Dutchman was wrong to overlook him as often as he did. He has averaged 5.
18 tackles per 90 in the Premier League so far this season - the most of any United player who has made three appearances or more. It was clear from Ashworth's statement that United had identified Ugarte as the missing link in their midfield because of his defensive profile. They wanted to find someone who could wrestle the ball back and be an elite-level destroyer.
Ugarte will only get better the more he plays. United might just have found the ball-winning expert they were desperate for. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
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