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    Is Manuel Ugarte Really The Midfielder That Man Utd Need? | #premierleague #manchesterunited
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    Is Manuel Ugarte Really The Midfielder That Man Utd Need? | #premierleague #manchesterunited



    Welcome to The Athletic FC’s YouTube channel, where best-in-class journalism meets video.

    Manchester United have a new defensive midfielder, after signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. But is he actually a good fit?

    JJ Bull takes a look 🧠

    #manutd #footballshorts #soccer

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    Additional footage sourced from AP Newsroom

    View 49 Comments

    49 Comments

    5. @isaaccc726 on

      The harsh truth is that every team wants a 6 that can do it all like Rodri but they simply don’t exist in football or are ridiculously expensive. Ugarte helps us keep the ball and win it back so he’s already an upgrade on Casemiro who consistently loses the ball and can’t win it back.

    7. @RL- on

      You're not gonna get anywhere if you try to have complete players who can do everything in every position. This is why you build a team with players complimenting each other.

      Mainoo doesn't really have an overall midfield game either since he just tries to dribble a lot and shoot, and he doesn't defend in volume like Ugarte does. He probably shouldn't be forced into the first team and he should be eased in slowly while the rest of the team is shaped with balance in mind. Mount was a very progressive passer at Chelsea despite his advanced positions and their toothless possession style that didn't use space. He was ranked sixth in the world in 20/21 – like Fernandes was last season. Maybe he could be repurposed as a deeper midfielder, especially as he's very herd working and defends too, while a unit of four stays ahead to play the final third stuff.

    16. @rolandwoltman7835 on

      United lack progressive passing because Marcus Rashford is lazy and slow in attack. He had over 10 yards today on Liverpool's RB as Bruno had the ball counterattacking centrally. Bruno's pass would have hit Rashford in stride… Only it was intercepted because Rashford's new top speed in attack is about 15 mph. Zero confidence. Zero effective play.

    18. @Yesman10 on

      Ugarte is the man to break up the opponents 4/5 on 3 players when we’re getting countered because Dalot and shaw are sat in the opponents half when we lose the ball up front

    20. @rustedvelvett on

      Onana pings balls anywhere for a 50/50 chance one of our players gets it and Bruno does the same. The contrast between us and City is like ying and yang, City being the tidiest team you’ll ever see play and us being the messiest 😭

    23. @EPL_Scout on

      Creativity isn't what you need from your DM. Progressive passing is ideal, but only at the right times with accuracy. We've seen with Casemiro, he tries to play forward & long too often which means we lose control and get exposed on the counter. Ugarte playing it safe will probably help United keep control of games a bit more. The responsibility should be on Mainoo to improve his progressive passing and chance creation. If he's going to play a 6/8 hybrid position, he has to get on the ball and help United play through the lines. Floating about the pitch and playing simple passes I'm not sure is enough. United definitely need to replace Eriksen with a more dynamic, progressive no.8 like a Gravenberch/Bellingham style. Or a deeper midfielder to sit next to Ugarte who can dictate the game and progress it forward – like a Kroos or Carrick.

    33. @lauyee on

      Which means they will be the new McFred pair, Fred is the dynamic ball winner and Mc carrying it up. Or Mc winning the header and Fred bringing it up.

      Not the worst idea but doesn't work when opponents sit deep.

    41. @Iangrey11 on

      United need Adam Wharton, mainoo and ugarte midfield, for what I've seen Wharton is pretty raw and not good at OOP and but defensively liable but he's young and can get coached, I would get Bruno out, no matter how good he is and eth as well.

    44. @krishanukashyap4912 on

      I don't understand this fascination with progressive passing. Casemiro tries it all the time and fails mostly. Top 6s like Rice and Rodri pass sideways more to slow down and control the game. UTD are a counter attacking side and much of our problem has come from being too open in the middle during opposition counters. This is a direct result of the pressing structure ETH has established, not entirely the players' skill issue (like whether or not more prog. passes). Only real downside with Ugarte is he's not good in the air. But if he's disciplined with passes, I figure he'll do well.

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