The Pressure on Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte’s first day at Old Trafford was not as glamorous as he might have hoped. With a narrow escape from the sprinklers on the pitch, he was introduced to the crowd before the game against Liverpool. However, the match ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat for Manchester United. Ugarte, who recently completed his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, is already under immense pressure to be the solution to the team’s midfield problems.

The issue of controlling games from midfield has plagued Manchester United for years. Even before Erik ten Hag’s tenure, the team struggled in the defensive midfield area. The hope now rests on Ugarte, a young and talented midfielder, to provide the defensive stability that has been lacking for over a decade. However, the expectations placed on Ugarte might be too high, considering the long-standing deficiencies in the team.

Replacing Past Failures

United’s history of recruitment mistakes in midfield has left them desperate for a player like Ugarte to succeed. The signing of players past their prime, such as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Nemanja Matic, and Casemiro, has only exacerbated the issue. The repeated failure to bring in the right defensive midfielder has forced United to deploy players out of position, further highlighting the need for a player like Ugarte.

While Ugarte’s arrival is a step in the right direction, it will not solve all of United’s midfield problems. Ten Hag will still need to address defensive issues with players like Lisandro Martínez and ensure that Bruno Fernandes does not leave gaps in midfield. Making these adjustments, although challenging, does not require magic. Ugarte alone cannot fix all the team’s shortcomings, but he can certainly make a significant impact.

The pressure on Manuel Ugarte to perform at Manchester United is immense. As the team’s long-awaited solution to the midfield problems, Ugarte faces high expectations and a history of recruitment failures in his position. While his arrival is a positive step for the club, Ugarte alone cannot solve all of United’s issues. With the right support and adjustments from the team, Ugarte has the potential to make a significant impact and contribute to Manchester United’s success.