Copa America and Euros might be slowing down the transfer business of clubs but it is also helping them see players on a big international stage and for United, transfer target Manuel Ugarte is giving them no reason to doubt their interest.
Ugarte was a wall in front of his defensive line as Uruguay kept a well-deserved clean sheet against the USA in a 1-0 win, carrying on his great form at the tournament.
The win condemned the USA to elimination from the tournament while Uruguay continued their rave displays under Marcelo Bielsa with Ugarte at the heart of midfield.
Ugarte: The rock-solid presence in midfield
Manchester United’s interest in Manuel Ugarte is well-documented by now, with the player open to a move and Paris Saint-Germain giving the green light as well.
United need him to effectively replace Casemiro at the base of midfield and his display vs the USA provided another proof why he would be ideal.
It was a defensive midfield masterclass from the Uruguayan, particularly late on when the opponents tried to pile on the pressure to equalise.
He finished the game with remarkable stats, bringing into focus his capabilities as a pure destroyer-
- 7/7 ground duels won
- 51 touches
- 3 clearances (1 off the line)
- 4 tackles
- 3/5 long balls
The Uruguayan media was left raving about another composed display by their midfield general with El Observador giving his performance a 7/10.
They praised his goal-line clearance and said his energy in midfield reverberated through the whole team and was infectious as they held out to see off the USA.
Mainoo’s emergence means Ugarte is exactly what United need
Ugarte is a destroyer in the purest sense of the word, i.e., he is the kind of player who won’t get fans out of their seats with his fancy, raking passes.
However, what he will do is act as a shield in front of the defence, win the ball back, provide security, and pass it to difference-makers.
Before Kobbie Mainoo broke onto the scene, United had Casemiro overstretched, trying to do both, while Eriksen was fielded to make up for the Brazilian’s comparative lack of on-ball skills.
Now, Mainoo can take up possession duties as he has shown he can be a progressive passer, as well as an efficient ball carrier from deep.
Add to it Mason Mount’s energy and positional nous, and United now only need a pure destroyer in the mold of Ugarte to complete an ideal midfield.
The deal is unlikely to be completed before Uruguay’s Copa America campaign ends but there seems to be a willingness from all sides to get it done eventually in what would be a smart piece of business by United.