- 22 hours ago
‘How can he walk around like that?’ - New Man Utd signing slammed by Netherlands legend
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 2 Oct 2024 14:01 BST
- 2 min read
Manchester United’s transfer business in the summer has been the subject to intense scrutiny as none of their new players have made a flying start at the club, and the latest pundit to have a dig at the Old Trafford side is Netherlands legend Marco van Basten.
Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were all added to the Old Trafford side’s ranks in the summer, but it is Manuel Ugarte who has fallen under the wrath of the Dutchman, who has spared his compatriots on this occasion.
Van Basten has been left unimpressed by the €50 million signing from PSG, who has made five appearances so far for United.
“I saw a new player, Ugarte or something like that,” he told Ziggo Sport. “€50m! And then I said to myself: how can he walk around like that? It’s crazy how much money they have spent on players who are not good!”
Ugarte has struggled to make an impact at United since his big-money move, but the defensive midfielder has had relatively few opportunities to impress. He has started only three games for the Old Trafford club, featuring against Twente, Tottenham and Barnsley from kick-off.
Current ETV
Manuel Ugarte
M, DM (C)
Man Utd
Manuel Ugarte
M, DM (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€31.2M - €52M
Man Utd midfield like ‘Swiss f****** cheese!’
Man Utd were, however, warned by France World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit that Ugarte was not the magic solution to their midfield problems.
“I’m sorry to say this Manchester United fans, but Manuel Ugarte is not going to fix all of your midfield problems,” Petit said in comments relayed by the MEN.
“That Manchester United midfield is like Swiss f****** cheese! You can walk through the holes and get straight into the defenders. Ugarte won't solve anything on his own, but he can show some fight and personality. He’s a good character and hopefully that will rub off on some of the other players.
“What can the fans expect from him? He will give 100% on the pitch. He will bring energy. He will bring aggression. He will bring sometimes the balance that's needed in midfield, especially when Manchester United lose the ball.”
