Manuel Ugarte’s whole of 98 tackles was the very best by anybody in Ligue 1 final season; and he managed it regardless of beginning solely 21 video games out of 34, for a workforce, in Paris Saint-Germain, who spent roughly 66 per cent of the time in possession.
The numbers underline his exceptional ball-winning prowess and so they had been even increased in his last marketing campaign at earlier membership Sporting CP, throughout which the Uruguay worldwide racked up 121 tackles in 31 video games, probably 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 switch in Sporting’s midfield earlier than incomes his £51m transfer to PSG final summer time.
Quick ahead a 12 months 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 simple to play by way of. Ugarte, 9 years youthful than the fading Casemiro at 23, may convey qualities they lacked.
Actually, 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 attaining 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 gained within the last third final season, a statistic which highlights his aggressive and front-footed method to defending.
At occasions, 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 every of solely two pink playing cards throughout 4 seasons in Europe. He’s principally savvy sufficient to remain inside limits.
And in addition to, his efficiency that night time on the Emirates Stadium sticks within the reminiscence for different causes.
Earlier than the sending off, within the last couple of minutes 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 sport.
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 12 months, solely two of his team-mates, wingers Pote and Marcus Edwards, accomplished extra take-ons.
In fact, probably the most urgent points at United are defensive.
Ten Hag’s facet conceded 58 targets within the Premier League final season, the membership’s highest-ever whole. Solely Sheffield United, West Ham and Luton City allowed extra pictures on their aim.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
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 house 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, principally alongside Hidemasa Morita, and it was the same story final season at Paris-Saint Germain, the place he was principally used alongside both Warren Zaire-Emery or Vitinha.
Manuel Ugarte has principally performed as a right-sided midfielder moderately 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 impressive show, and a vital aim, within the FA Cup last win over Manchester Metropolis.
However for each a kind of attacking forays, just like the one which allowed him to fit in Bruno Fernandes’ go at Wembley, there was an occasion of Mainoo struggling on the different finish, with Casemiro, his midfield associate, struggling to cowl open areas.
Ugarte would convey better bodily depth and he can deal with the ball too. He isn’t as adventurous as Casemiro along with his passing however he’s definitely extra environment friendly, his accuracy price of round 91 per cent considerably increased than the Brazilian’s 83 per cent.
There may be room for enchancment relating to threading passes by way of the traces. His conservative passing decisions are a reported supply of frustration to PSG boss Luis Enrique.
However his capacity to retain possession is probably one other a part of his attraction to United. In any case, lots of their defensive points final season stemmed from an absence 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.
