Manuel Ugarte’s complete of 98 tackles was the best by anybody in Ligue 1 final season; and he managed it regardless of beginning solely 21 video games out of 34, for a group, in Paris Saint-Germain, who spent roughly 66 per cent of the time in possession.
The numbers underline his exceptional ball-winning prowess they usually had been even greater in his closing marketing campaign at earlier membership Sporting CP, throughout which the Uruguay worldwide racked up 121 tackles in 31 video games, essentially the most by any participant in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
Throughout the 2 seasons, there is just one participant in Europe’s main leagues who has averaged extra tackles per 90 minutes and that’s Joao Palhinha, the person Ugarte helped to exchange in Sporting’s midfield earlier than incomes his £51m transfer to PSG final summer time.
Quick ahead a yr and Ugarte is in demand once more. Manchester United’s midfield was an issue space final season. Erik ten Hag’s facet had been too straightforward to play by way of. Ugarte, 9 years youthful than the fading Casemiro at 23, may carry qualities they lacked.
Definitely, his defensive work has made an impression so far in his profession.
“He has seven lungs, he never stops,” stated Juan Ramon Carrasco, his former supervisor at Fenix in Uruguay. “He has an extraordinary ability to steal the ball,” stated PSG boss Luis Enrique. “He reminds me of N’Golo Kante,” added PSG defender Lucas Hernandez.
The comparability with Kante is a mouth-watering one for Manchester United followers and is lent credence by the very fact Hernandez counts the previous Chelsea midfielder as a team-mate with France.
Even reaching half as a lot as him within the Premier League would make Ugarte a worthy funding for United.
There are some parallels. In addition to being a prodigious tackler, Ugarte reads the sport well, anticipating hazard with well timed interceptions. Like Kante, he additionally has a formidable engine which permits him makes his presence felt offensively in addition to defensively.
Manuel Ugarte ranked extremely regardless of solely beginning 21 Ligue 1 video games
“He dominates more than half the pitch,” added Carrasco. Certainly, though a defensive midfielder, Ugarte ranked second in Ligue 1 for possessions received within the closing third final season, a statistic which highlights his aggressive and front-footed strategy to defending.
At instances, he steps near the mark. A visit to Arsenal within the Europa League with Sporting noticed him despatched off for a late foul on Bukayo Saka. However that was one in all solely two purple playing cards throughout 4 seasons in Europe. He’s largely savvy sufficient to remain inside limits.
And in addition to, his efficiency that evening on the Emirates Stadium sticks within the reminiscence for different causes.
Earlier than the sending off, within the closing jiffy of extra-time, Ugarte was key in securing the 1-1 draw with allowed Sporting to progress on penalties. He labored tirelessly off the ball and confirmed his high quality on it, rating high amongst all gamers for each tackles and dribbles.
Ugarte makes an attempt to dam a cross by Granit Xhaka for Sporting in opposition to Arsenal
That dribbling capacity is one other alluring side of his recreation.
Ugarte is able to skipping previous opponents, usually deep in his personal half, to progress the ball up the pitch. Throughout Sporting’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals that yr, solely two of his team-mates, wingers Pote and Marcus Edwards, accomplished extra take-ons.
In fact, essentially the most urgent points at United are defensive.
Ten Hag’s facet conceded 58 objectives within the Premier League final season, the membership’s highest-ever complete. Solely Sheffield United, West Ham and Luton City allowed extra photographs on their aim.
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Sky Sports activities Information’ Dharmesh Sheth provides perception into Man Utd’s makes an attempt to signal a midfielder
There may be an pressing want for extra safety within the centre of the pitch, the place their opponents discovered area all too usually, and Ugarte may present it, albeit not essentially as a lone defensive midfielder.
“Before I arrived at Sporting, I liked to play as a No 6, but now I have got used to playing with another player next to me,” he stated in an interview throughout his time in Lisbon. “I am a better player than I was a year ago,” he added. “I have adapted to different positions.”
The 23-year-old primarily operated as a part of a double pivot in Sporting’s midfield, largely alongside Hidemasa Morita, and it was the same story final season at Paris-Saint Germain, the place he was largely used alongside both Warren Zaire-Emery or Vitinha.
Manuel Ugarte has largely performed as a right-sided midfielder relatively than a lone No 6
His presence may assist Kobbie Mainoo at United. The teenager was a serious success story final season, capping a shocking breakthrough marketing campaign with an excellent show, and a vital aim, within the FA Cup closing win over Manchester Metropolis.
However for each a kind of attacking forays, just like the one which allowed him to fit in Bruno Fernandes’ cross at Wembley, there was an occasion of Mainoo struggling on the different finish, with Casemiro, his midfield companion, unable to adequately cowl open areas.
Ugarte would carry higher bodily depth and he can deal with the ball too. He’s not as adventurous as Casemiro along with his passing however he’s actually extra environment friendly, his accuracy fee of round 91 per cent considerably greater than the Brazilian’s 83 per cent.
There may be room for enchancment with regards to threading passes by way of the strains. He solely directed 15 per cent of his passes ahead final season in Ligue 1, in keeping with Opta. His conservative passing selections had been a reported supply of frustration to PSG boss Luis Enrique.
At United, although, there’s a want for higher ball retention. In spite of everything, lots of their defensive points final season stemmed from a scarcity of management in midfield. Casemiro’s formidable passing turned a contributing issue, given how usually it resulted in turnovers.
It’s one other instance of how the tough-tackling Ugarte may assist as Ten Hag appears to be like to strike the suitable stability within the coronary heart of his group.
