How Manuel Ugarte Unlocks The Manchester United Midfield

The signing of Manuel Ugarte is becoming a reality. Manchester United are desperate for a player like Ugarte, especially one in his position. It’s an added bonus if we get the man himself. We looked at the worry with signing Ugarte the other day, and there’s reasons to have reservations about the transfer. However, the persistence from United shows that there is an understanding of what we want the player for. There is a lot to like about him. Today I’m going to give my tactical take on the colossal benefit that would come with having Ugarte in this Manchester United midfield, and it starts with Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo...

🔔 Subscribe now for the freshest Football and Manchester United updates straight from Old Trafford. Here, you’ll be the first to catch:

🏟️ Football News: From the Premier League to the Champions League, we have all the hottest news covered.
🥅 Man Utd News: Get the latest scoops straight from Old Trafford.
🌟 Man United Academy News: Keeping tabs on the future stars of the club.
🎥 Live Stream Reactions: Join us as we share live reactions to all the Premier League and Champions League matches.
🎬 Manchester United Documentaries & Vlogs: Deep dives and behind-the-scenes insights into your favourite team.
⚽ Goals, Highlights & Player Analysis: Detailed analyses focusing on stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
🎧 Podcasts: Tune in for rich discussions featuring special guests and Erik ten Hag's press conference reactions.
📢 Transfers & Premier League Buzz: Be the first to know all the freshest transfers and Premier League news.
Your support is our strength! Contribute and enjoy exclusive perks:

Deepen the conversation:

Stay Connected:

#ManchesterUnited #ManuelUgarte #Ugarte

[Renatoioi]

i am so thankful that united looks promising again. 2-3 years ago i didnt had any hope for this club

[-Old-School-Gamer]

I continually keep hearing people asking what Erik Ten Hag’s style of play is and I genuinely don’t understand why, because Man United’s style of play is crystal clear to me.

ETH wants to play a 4-2-4 formation without the ball, then quickly transitioning to either a 3-2-5 or 3-1-6 formation with the ball.

When it’s the 3-2-5, one of the fullbacks steps into midfield allowing one of our midfielders to joining the attack.

If it’s the 3-1-6 (which will only be used against lesser opposition), both fullbacks will go forward stretching the pitch, and again one of our midfielders will join the attack.

It also includes having a high line of defence, so we can then press the opposition high up the pitch without leaving acres of space in the middle, just like we were seeing last season, because we didn’t have the defenders capable of playing it.

The signing of Ugarte is essential for playing the 3-1-6 formation, because Casemiro doesn’t have the legs to do that alone anymore, because you basically have to cover the ground of two midfielders, and the signings of Mattias de Ligt and Lenny Yoro were essential for allowing the team to play the high line.

Personally, I think Casemiro may be used more as an 8 rather than a 6 this season, because let’s be honest, he still excels when going forward.

If anyone wants a better understanding of what ETH’s style of play is, STAT MAN DAVE made an excellent and in-depth video about it not to long ago, where he explains it in great detail.

[Prime-R]

Manuel Ugarte is not quite Roy Keane as Keano was more adventurous box to box midfielder, he's more of a Gilberto (Arsenal) Those familiar with Gilberto will know what I mean. He's exactly what we need to get the team functioning/get more out of them.

He's not a complete midfielder but one of them that can be a important cog in the team/system.

I think some people are not aware of his game & are going by what others have said about him, hence the false impression of him, he's decent on the ball & his passing is good, certainly not bad as many have made it out to be.

I really hope we get it done ⏳
GGMU 🔴

[seriouslee]

I honestly think Ugarte and casemiro together will be deadly too. Cas's ball progression can be world class, so with ugarye doing the yards it could be a really good option that means kobbie doesn't get burned out. Great signing!!

[StickyBud]

I've been so excited by the chance of Ugarte playing for us, I just hope we get him and he's not false hope.

[blacsheep]

We don't need a ball playing midfielder right now we have mainoo for that

We need some aggression, ball winning, our midfield had been ran through like diarrhea nearly every game. No protection for the back four.. bareback

Ugarte said 'when we have the ball it's a game, when we don't it's a fight' that's Roy Keane mentality that has been missing since..well Roy Keane

Ugarte is needed more than people realise, but they'll understand further on through the season when they see how much more solid we become as a unit and we can't be bullied anymore!!!

[noscrum]

Scholes's point in the most recent fan debate is actually something I hadn't thought about at all...

His thinking was to get a better on the ball player and keep the ball rather than getting someone who's going to help us recover it when we lose it... his point about us trying to score with every single attack made perfect sense but would rely on changing the style of alot of the players we have rather than plugging the issue with an Ugarte

[OmidoDorito]

Ste on Zirkzee at 10:30: ”He has the flair to turn something into nothing” 😂

[JaysParrot]

Also he brings a great opportunity to vary our approach: 4, 4, 2 with Dalot, Martinez, De Ligt/Yoro, Mazaroui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Bruno, Hojlund, Rashford/Garnacho, Amad/Garnacho. This allows us to use the wings, have a decent press but counter well. Switch to 3, 4 (diamond), 3 that looks like a 3, 1, 3, 3:, Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro, Ugarte, then as a front foot press - Manioo, Mount, Bruno, Zirkzee, Hojlund, Amad. This dominates the central column, allows quick one-touch passing in the attacking third and if we lose the ball we can flood their half with pressing players who can win back the ball or force the long ball to be swept up. Probably not perfect but would be great to see this tactical variation and as a switch up if one formation is struggling.

[danielberry]

I saw Ugarte play twice for Sporting against Arsenal and he was sensational. This signing would be great. A loan with an obligation to buy👌.

I dislike the “unlocking” mentality after how many players were meant to unlock Pogba.

[richyclubsport]

Ugarte, lot's of Copa videos on YouTube he's a beast of a player exactly what is needed. I'm old, remember players like Nobby Stiles, every team needs a destroyer and leave the fancy football for the others

[AshBashSneakers]

Some facts

1. Casemiro was injured for 83 days last year.
2. He had no mainoo when the season started.. and know real CM partner till the start of 2024 when he was back from injury.
3. A whole new back line which didnt help him do what he wanted to do.
4. When he came back he was sometimes having to play CB which didnt help him shine.
5. He looked washed because he never got to establish a rhythm and was often over run because of no help.
6. Ugarte and Casemiro will play well together.. especially if we dont rate ourselves enough to keep the ball against the top 3-4.
7. If anyones actually watched Ugarte play hes not just a destroyer.. he can dribble very well.. and has good passing.

[robertprice]

Cassimero was in Brazil injured for the months … of course he came back overweight… why have people forgotten this!!! Injured at the absolute worst time possible for a footballer … everyone else is super fit by this point. He will be quality again this year

[Sam-bdgp]

Ugarte is needed, but we also need a backup for kobbie. Possibly too much to get done all in one summer, but our ball playing and control in midfield is resting solely on (great as he is) a 19 yr old kid. If he gets an injury, weve no one to control the game (eriksen too old/sold). We still need to manage kobbie and not burn him out.

[MM-ulns]

Talk sport this morning with Tony Cascarino are claiming this as ‘strange’ transfer. These guys are dinosaurs. Is it any wonder why more and more fans are now turning to fan channels.

[illuminatusdeus]

Man, can anyone still remember how excited we all were when Fred was being signed? I still remember that Mourinho era? Then when we realised his technical limitations... and it all went away that euphoria... hope it's not the same for Ugarte... a very expensive Fred.

Before you go off on this, I acknowledge he has good stamina and can press.... like Fred.

[ajpope]

I'm seeing a Diamond in our future.

Ugarte at the base, occupy the other 3 spaces. Wide attackers moving into the soace, Hojlund/Amad on the right, Rashford/Garnacho from the left.

This allows for dominant possession but also still the ability to play direct/counter with quick wide players.

[andemoore]

I can't wait to bring Ügarte in, tough in the tackle and energy in the mode of Park 3 Lungs . Very excited when it happens. Cheers Ste.

[chrisrobinson]

I still think we need Amrabat. I'd use Mount as cover for Bruno or when we're pressing/using a false 9. If we manage him right, Casemiro can cover/supplant Mainoo. Just worried if we get Ugarte and he he then picks up an injury or suspension. Still think we need cover.
If we get those two and shift on any of Sancho, Anthony, McSauce and Eriksen I'd say it's been a bloody good window (without mentioning left back 😅)

[davidgevans]

Ugarte would complete a brilliant window for utd another young talented player that will get us closer to where we need to be!