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Manchester United finally completed a deal for defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte late on deadline day.
One of the club’s biggest weaknesses last season was the midfield’s fragility when protecting the backline.
Consequently, one of the United’s biggest priorities this summer was signing a defensive midfielder and their interest in Ugarte was first reported at the end of June.
A summer of drawn-out negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain continued until it was finally announced this week that a deal had been reached for €50 million plus €10 million in add-ons to sign the combative midfielder.
Some pundits have questioned the logic of signing the midfielder due to his on the ball abilities, such as Emmanuel Petit, who claimed he was a strange fit for Erik ten Hag’s side. However, his statistics as a destroyer do not lie.
Despite falling out of favour in Paris in the second half of the season owing to Luis Enrique’s heavy possession focus, he has some impressive statistics to justify United’s expensive outlay.
Statman Dave has highlighted on X some of these impressive statistics where he was ranked number one in the entire PSG team.
He completed 181 ball recoveries and 40 interceptions. The Uruguay international also made 43 tackles in the middle third and 39 in the defensive third. Again, leading numbers for his side.
Interestingly, he also showed huge aggression and pressing acumen by winning the ball 16 times in the attacking third, leading his team’s press.
These statistics are even more impressive in the context that he only played 25 matches out of 38 in Ligue 1 last season.
Manuel Ugarte in Ligue 1 last season (PSG rank):
181 ball recoveries (🥇)
40 interceptions (🥇)
43 tackles in the middle third (🥇)
39 tackles in the defensive third (🥇)
16 tackles in the attacking third (🥇)A monstrous ball-winner in all areas. 👹 pic.twitter.com/B0Mr69DrOM
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 30, 2024
Sporting director Dan Ashworth is clearly excited about Ugarte’s potential impact at Old Trafford and on his signing claimed, “he is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international level. His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.”
Whilst United are trying to implement a more possession-based style, high pressing and aggression off the ball has been a key feature of what Erik ten Hag has been trying to implement in pre-season and at the start of the current campaign.
Ugarte should theoretically help in this regard as he has seemingly endless energy and can hopefully provide a successful foil to the more refined game of Kobbie Mainoo.
At only 23 years of age, his potential long-term partnership with the 19 year old Mainoo is certainly something for United fans to savour.
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