September 18th 2024.
The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, has been facing some challenges with his midfield lately. Despite Manuel Ugarte's recent start for the team, former player Emmanuel Petit is not convinced that he alone can solve all of their issues. Ugarte joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain for a hefty fee of £42.2m and made his first start in a League Cup match against Barnsley, where they secured an impressive 7-0 win.
There are high hopes that the Uruguayan midfielder will make his Premier League debut this weekend against Crystal Palace, and his addition to the team is expected to bring some much-needed strength to the midfield. However, Petit cautions fans not to expect too much from Ugarte, as there is still a lot of work to be done to improve Manchester United's struggling midfield.
"I hate to say this to Manchester United fans, but Manuel Ugarte alone cannot fix all of your midfield problems," Petit stated in an interview with topoffshoresportsbooks.com. "I have watched him play at PSG, and while he did start the season in the first eleven, he disappeared from the team after their devastating loss to Newcastle United in the Champions League."
According to Petit, Ugarte's role in the team would be to bring energy, aggression, and balance to the midfield, especially when the team loses possession. However, he also points out that the current state of Manchester United's midfield is like "Swiss cheese," with holes that are easy to exploit. While Ugarte can contribute positively, he cannot single-handedly solve all of the team's issues, but his fighting spirit and personality may inspire his teammates.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag remains optimistic and focuses on the positives of Ugarte's first start against Barnsley. He acknowledges that it takes some time for a player to find their position and for the team to find their rhythm, but once they did, Ugarte's talent was evident. "He was good," the Dutchman commented on Ugarte's performance. "He can really strengthen the squad and the team."
As Manchester United continues to work on improving their midfield, only time will tell if Ugarte will be a key player in their success. In the meantime, fans can stay updated on all the latest news, exclusive content, and analysis by signing up for the club's newsletter. This website is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service also apply.
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