Though it wasn’t officially announced until just before the transfer window closed for business, Man United finally confirmed the capture of Manuel Ugarte to complete their summer spending.
??? Manuel Ugarte, finally joining Man United after agreement on personal terms revealed in July. pic.twitter.com/CydAGh06Rj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2024
After already landing the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, having Ugarte to come in as a defensive midfielder means that Erik ten Hag now has cover in all areas.
As the first proper window under the INEOS regime too, it’s a fine start from Sir Jim Ratcliffe et al.
They’ve given their manager the tools to do the job and now it’s down to the Dutchman to prove that last season definitely was a fluke.
After a decent opening campaign as United manager, ten Hag saw his stock plummet last season.
Manuel Ugarte offers strength and combativeness in central midfield
The Red Devils were bombed out of the Champions League, finished in their worst-ever Premier League position, and though they won the FA Cup with a commanding performance in the final against Man City, they were an unbelievably tight VAR offside decision from surrendering a three-goal lead to Coventry City in the semi-final.
So far in 2024/25, United have squeaked past Fulham and lost in injury time to Brighton and Hove Albion, and in both games they’ve been less than impressive. Therefore, the pressure is squarely on ten Hag’s shoulders.
However, Ugarte’s combativeness and will to win will be of huge benefit to the squad.
Once Zirkzee finds his scoring boots on a regular basis and Yoro returns to help shore up the back line, United have no excuse not to make a vast improvement on their showing last season.
With only two games gone it’s no time to judge, but come the next transfer window in January, if ten Hag doesn’t have his staff back playing the sparkling football that the Old Trafford faithful demand, he could find that there’s renewed interest in his position.
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