Who is Manuel Ugarte and is he the right midfielder for Man Utd?

 

Manuel Ugarte only moved to French side PSG last year but already rumours are swirling over a potential summer exit. Manchester United, who are looking to add at least one central midfielder, have been credited with an interest in the Uruguayan, and on the face of things; it's easy to see why. 

 

United were far too open last season, conceding an average of 17.6 shots per game; only Sheffield United (17.8) allowed more in Europe's top five leagues. A new centre-back is also on the cards for Erik ten Hag's side but a priority position is the middle of the park for a combative partner for Kobbie Mainoo. 

 

With Casemiro expected to be sold following a two-year spell at Old Trafford, it's no wonder a host of midfielders have been linked with a move to United. Benfica's Joao Neves is on their radar, while West Ham's Edson Alvarez is a reported target ahead of a potential reunion with Ten Hag. 

 

Ugarte is now set for United having reportedly agreed personal terms with the club. The youngster was linked with a Premier League move last summer, with Chelsea a rumoured destination for the former Sporting man, before PSG secured his services. 

 

The player himself was said to be keen on remaining in Paris, so it has taken a monumental effort for United to come so close to landing Ugarte. After all, they did well to convince Leny Yoro to turn down Real Madrid. The issue, though, is whether a move for the Uruguayan would be worth the hassle. United have been in this position before as they sought to sign Frenkie de Jong in Ten Hag's first summer at the Old Trafford helm, only to fail in their advances to land the Dutchman. 

 

 

While the midfielder ticks the boxes for a player to win and recycle possession effectively, there are concerns over a possible move for the player. Ugarte averaged more tackles per 90 (4.6) than any other player in Ligue 1 last season. Considering PSG had the highest possession average by far (65.7%) in France's top tier, he quickly went in pursuit of the ball in order for PSG to regain control. 

 

Yet even so, opponents also found it relatively easy to get the better of Ugarte in the middle of the park. Indeed, he was dribbled past 2.1 times per 90, that ranking sixth in Ligue 1, returning a tackle success rate of 68.1% in the process. For a United side as open as they were in the Premier League, Ugarte would be tasked with essentially being a one-man wrecking ball in a key area of the pitch. 

 

For a PSG outfit that did see so much of the ball yet for Ugarte to be dribbled past so frequently, the perceived wrecklessness could prove disastrous for Ten Hag's side. The Dutchman needs a player to prevent teams from chancing their luck so regularly, not one who might struggle with the demands of Premier League football. 

 

While effective on the ball, there are concerns that Ugarte is too safe in possession. A 91.5% pass success rate may have ranked ninth in Ligue 1, yet given PSG's dominance, one would expect this return to be high. Furthermore, when he did seek to pick out a teammate, Ugarte was incredibly safe in doing so, noted in that only 14.6% of his passes went forward last season. 

 

 

While this is no bad thing given he often had the likes of midfielders Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery or Fabian Ruiz either side of him in Luis Enrique's favoured 4-3-3 setup, not to mention the availability of the marauding Achraf Hakimi to his right, the decision to play it safe to allow the more creative stars to cause damage in the final third was understandable. Yet in Ten Hag's favoured 4-2-3-1 setup, he wouldn't have the same luxury. You can foresee Bruno Fernandes' frustration when Ugarte misses a chance to get the ball to feet to United's creator-in-chief. 

 

There is an understandable appeal about Ugarte given his ball winning qualities, but United need one who can seek to break the lines as well as rob opponents of possession with ease. In their pursuit of a central midfielder to partner Mainoo, Ugarte perhaps isn't the right one they should have looked to this summer.

Who is Manuel Ugarte and is he the right midfielder for Man Utd?