Manuel Ugarte made 98 tackles final season, probably the most in Ligue 1; though he solely began 21 of PSG’s 34 video games and the staff had approx. He did this regardless of having the ball 66% of the time.
These numbers underlined his distinctive ball-winning skill and have been even larger throughout his closing season at former membership Sporting Lisbon, throughout which the Uruguay worldwide made 121 tackles in 31 video games. Damaged, is the participant with probably the most in Portugal’s La Liga.
In these two seasons, just one participant within the main European leagues has made extra tackles per 90 minutes than him, and that’s Joao Palhinha. Ugarte signed for 51 million final summer season. Sterling’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain helped Ugarte exchange Sporting Lisbon’s midfielder.
Quick ahead a yr and Ugarte is gaining recognition once more. Manchester United’s midfield was an issue space final season. Erik ten Hag’s aspect have been too simple to beat. Ugarte, 9 years youthful than the fading Casemiro at 23, may convey qualities they lack.
Solely Joao Palhinha averages extra tackles per 90 than Ugarte
Actually, his defensive work has been spectacular all through his profession.
“He had seven lungs and he would by no means cease,” mentioned Juan Ramon Carrasco, his former supervisor at Uruguayan Phoenix. “He has a rare skill to steal the ball,” PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned. “He jogs my memory of N’Golo Kante,” added PSG defender Lucas Hernandez.
For United followers, the comparisons to Kante are mouth-watering, and the truth that Hernandez considers the previous Chelsea midfielder a team-mate in France is all of the extra plausible.
Even attaining half as many leads to the Premier League could be sufficient to make Ugarte a worthwhile funding for United.
There are some similarities. Ugarte is just not solely a superb tackler, he’s additionally capable of learn the sport keenly and anticipate hazard by well timed interceptions. Like Kanter, he has a robust engine that makes his presence felt each offensively and defensively.
Manuel Ugarte ranks extremely regardless of beginning simply 21 Ligue 1 video games
“He managed greater than half the sport,” Carrasco added. The truth is, though Ugarte is a defensive midfielder, he completed second in possession within the closing third in Ligue 1 final season, a statistic that highlights his aggressive nature and front-foot defensive strategy.
Typically, he will get nearer to his objective. Throughout a Europa League away match towards Arsenal with Sporting CP, he was despatched off for a foul on Bukayo Saka. But it surely was one in every of solely two pink playing cards in 4 seasons in Europe. He’s largely shrewd and capable of keep inside sure limits.
Past that, his efficiency that evening on the Emirates Stadium stays etched within the reminiscence for different causes.
Earlier than being despatched off, Ugarte performed a key position within the closing minutes of time beyond regulation, serving to Sporting Lisbon obtain a 1-1 draw within the penalty shootout. He works tirelessly with out the ball and has proven his skill with out the ball, whether or not in tackles or dribbling, to be among the many better of all gamers.
Ugarte tries to dam Granit Xhaka’s cross towards Arsenal in Sporting CP
His dribbling skill is one other fascinating facet of his recreation.
Ugarte has the flexibility to get previous opponents (typically deep in his personal half) and push the ball ahead. That yr, solely two of his team-mates, wingers Potter and Marcus Edwards, made extra receptions as Sporting CP reached the Europa League quarter-finals.
In fact, United’s most urgent downside is protection.
Ten Hag’s aspect conceded 58 targets within the Premier League final season, probably the most within the membership’s historical past. Solely Sheffield United, West Ham United and Luton City had extra photographs on objective.
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Sky Sports activities Information’ Damish Sheth takes an inside have a look at Manchester United’s makes an attempt to signal a midfielder
Extra safety is desperately wanted within the middle of the pitch as their opponents typically discover area there, and Ugarte can present that, though not essentially as a lone defensive midfielder.
“Earlier than I got here to Sporting Lisbon, I beloved taking part in as a No. 6, however now I am used to taking part in with one other participant subsequent to me,” he mentioned in an interview throughout his time in Lisbon. “I am a greater participant than I used to be a yr in the past,” he added. “I’ve tailored to totally different positions.”
The 23-year-old performs primarily as a part of a double pivot in Sporting Lisbon’s midfield, primarily alongside Hidemasa Morita, and an identical state of affairs was seen at Paris Saint-Germain final season, the place he primarily performed alongside Warren Zaire – Play alongside Emery or Vitinha.
Manuel Ugarte primarily performs without any consideration midfielder relatively than as a single quantity six
His presence may assist Manchester United’s Kobe Minor. The teenager loved large success final season, capping off a shocking breakthrough with a efficiency and essential objective within the FA Cup closing win over Manchester Metropolis.
However for each attacking possession, such because the one which noticed him obtain a cross from Bruno Fernandes at Wembley, there have been examples of Manu struggling on the different finish whereas his midfield associate Casemiro struggled to cowl Emptiness.
Ugarte will convey extra physicality, and he can deal with the ball as nicely. His passing is just not as adventurous as Casemiro’s, however his passing effectivity is definitely extra environment friendly, together with his accuracy price of about 91%, which is considerably larger than the Brazilian’s 83%.
There’s room for enchancment relating to threading by the manufacturing line. His conservative passing choices are reportedly irritating PSG boss Luis Enrique.
However his skill to retain possession is undoubtedly another excuse why he’s engaging to United. In spite of everything, a lot of their defensive points final season stemmed from a scarcity of management within the midfield. Casemiro’s formidable passing grew to become a contributing issue because it typically resulted in turnovers.
That is one other instance of how Ugarte’s powerful tackling might help.
