Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United: Tactical Breakdown – Not a Rodri Replacement, But He Will Address Key Weaknesses

Manchester United are reportedly nearing the completion of Manuel Ugarte’s signing from Paris Saint-Germain. We examine what he will bring to Erik ten Hag’s squad.

After a summer filled with media speculation linking the two, it appears Manchester United are finally closing in on their primary midfield target, Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain. With negotiations reportedly advancing, Erik ten Hag may soon secure the central reinforcement he’s been eagerly seeking.

How Ugarte Could Address Manchester United’s Defensive Shortcomings

Uruguay international Ugarte has been the only central midfielder seriously linked with United this summer. While a deal seemed off the table a few weeks ago, with the Premier League club reportedly unwilling to meet PSG’s €60 million (£51m) valuation, only a few other names were briefly considered as possible alternatives.

Speculation around interest in Burnley’s Sander Berge – who has since joined Fulham – was fleeting, and Ten Hag’s comments about “sticking to the plan [in the transfer market]” when asked about replacing injured players could be interpreted as their official stance on Ugarte, especially now that a move appears to be back on track.

The saga has divided the United fanbase, but it’s been clear for some time that the club needed a more defensive-minded, disruptive midfielder.

United faced consistent criticism last season for being too vulnerable, with their expansive midfield proving too easy for opponents to exploit. The combination of a high press and a relatively deep defensive line created significant gaps in the center, which often overwhelmed their defense, particularly during an injury crisis that left them frequently understrength.

United’s struggle with shots faced became one of the Premier League’s worst-kept secrets, finishing the season with the second-highest total (667) behind relegated Sheffield United (678).

Their midfield setup undoubtedly played a role in this issue, with their opponents registering 620 transitions into the final third – the highest in the Premier League. Out of these, 205 resulted in shots, with only Luton Town (215) and Newcastle United (208) having worse records. Additionally, United faced the third-most shots from fast breaks (36).

The hope is that a player like Ugarte will help solidify the midfield defensively and offer additional support to Casemiro. While Casemiro remains technically proficient and valuable on the ball, his physicality and defensive capabilities have waned.

Ugarte would bring the aggression, bite, and defensive solidity that many believe has been lacking. Last season in Ligue 1, he was the only player to average more than 4.0 tackle attempts per 90 minutes (4.6) and led in successful tackles with an average of 2.7 per game.

He’s unwavering in his defensive responsibilities and a formidable tackler. However, this approach can lead to issues; his average of 2.1 fouls conceded per game was notably high. Yet, this is often a trade-off with players like Ugarte, a downside that Ten Hag is likely aware of.

Is Manuel Ugarte’s Ball Recovery Expertise, A Solution to United’s Defensive Woes?

On the positive side, Ugarte has a proven track record in ball recovery. His 8.4 possession regains per 90 minutes last season was surpassed by only two players in Ligue 1 (minimum 900 minutes), and his 1.9 interceptions per 90 placed him 14th in the same group. While these figures might not seem extraordinary, they are significant for players from teams with less possession dominance. Ugarte’s strong performance in both areas highlights his excellent positioning and awareness.

Given United’s difficulties last season with conceding from cut-backs or low crosses into the edge of their area, Ugarte’s arrival could address this problem.

However, some supporters might be concerned that Ugarte won’t be the game-controller they desire. Many fans today seem to yearn for a player like Rodri, though such players are exceedingly rare.

This brings us to the reason Ugarte is leaving in the first place: Luis Enrique has reportedly informed him that he’s not part of his first-team plans, despite joining from Sporting CP just last summer.

Reports suggest Ugarte has been training separately from the first team, with PSG’s manager preferring a midfielder more adept at controlling possession. Although Ugarte made 25 Ligue 1 appearances last season, it appears the coach believes a change is necessary.

While United fans shouldn’t expect Ugarte to be a direct replacement for Rodri, he should not be dismissed as inept on the ball. In fact, he is technically proficient, strong, and quite capable of dribbling.

Regarding his distribution, Ugarte completed 91.4% of his passes last season, a rate surpassed by only eight players who attempted at least 1,000 passes. However, his passing was often conservative and lacked creativity. For example, only 42 of his 1,314 open-play passes were considered progressive (passes that move the ball at least 25% closer to the goal). This amounts to just 3.2%, ranking as the 13th lowest proportion among the 155 players who attempted at least 700 passes.

Even considering his role as a defensive midfielder stationed deep, that figure is quite low. This might not be an issue if it aligns with his expected role, but some fans might be hoping United are acquiring their own version of Rodri – which, to be clear, they are not.

However, Ten Hag’s tenure has shown little indication that he aims for United to become a possession-focused team like Manchester City. Instead, they’ve been most effective as a transition team but have struggled against similar opponents. Ugarte could help address this vulnerability with his defensive prowess. While he may not be a traditional playmaker, he is far from a liability.

The key takeaway, if the deal goes through, is that Ugarte should offer United strengths they currently lack. His profile seems well-suited to addressing one of the team’s most significant weaknesses.

In this context, Ugarte appears to have the potential to be a valuable addition.

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