Casemiro's Liverpool performance proves Ugarte will be ESSENTIAL for Man Utd

Cameron Smith

• 1 Sept 2024 17:15 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United will be rueing their inability to complete a deal for Manuel Ugarte before Transfer Deadline Day.

The Uruguay international joined the Red Devils for an initial €50 million on the final day of the summer transfer window, with Man Utd finally reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Ugarte wasn’t registered in time to feature against arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday. Instead, Casemiro once again partnered Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and the Brazilian endured a torrid afternoon at Old Trafford.

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Luis Diaz scored a first-half brace for Arne Slot’s side, and Casemiro was at fault for both goals.

The first saw him play an extremely loose pass in central midfield, which was easily intercepted by Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman then laid in Mohamed Salah and his pin-point cross was headed home by Diaz at the back post.

In the 42nd minute, Casemiro was then brushed off the ball by Diaz and he fell to the ground in a fairly embarrassing manner. Seconds later, Salah found Diaz inside the penalty area and the Colombian stroked the ball into the corner of Andre Onana’s net.

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The two mistakes capped a dismal first-half display, in which Casemiro lost possession on 13 occasions - the most of any player on the pitch.

He was then hooked at half-time, with academy kid Toby Collyer replacing him.

Manuel Ugarte will be essential for Man Utd

Casemiro’s 2023-24 campaign was an extremely poor one and a proposed move to Saudi Arabia seemed like the best course of action for Man Utd.

However, the Red Devils opted to retain the ex-Real Madrid midfielder, despite the fact his legs have evidently gone.

In addition, Mainoo - for all his quality in possession - also isn’t much of a defensive force. As a result, Man Utd’s midfield keeps getting played through with ease.

Ugarte will therefore be essential. The Uruguayan is a huge presence out of possession and he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles per 90 in the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, he also ranks in the top 3% of midfielders for interceptions per 90.

Man Utd are relying on Ugarte to transform their midfield and Ten Hag’s job will be under massive threat if the ex-PSG star isn’t a game-changing signing.