Ugarte won’t solve Man Utd’s ‘Swiss f*****g cheese’ problem, says Premier League winner

Robin Bairner

• 11 Sep 2024 09:45 CDT
• 4 min read

Manchester United have been told that Manuel Ugarte is not a magical solution to their midfield problem, according to Premier League winner Emmanuel Petit.

United hunted a deal for Ugarte for much of the summer, eventually striking a deal worth potentially €60 million to bring the Uruguay international to Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old is expected to arrive as a direct replacement for the struggling Casemiro, but Petit, who turned out for Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona in midfield, winning the Premier League with the Gunners, has said that one single addition cannot be expected to transform the fortunes of Erik ten Hag’s side.

READ MORE: Man Utd issue Ten Hag sack date

Current ETV

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

Man Utd

€41.6M

ETV Range

€31.2M - €52M

View full profile

“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.”

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Disappearance warning

Petit has flagged up Ugarte’s experience at PSG as potentially being an issue at Old Trafford.

“I watched him at PSG. He started the season in the starting eleven at the beginning of the season, but after the club were demolished by Newcastle United in the Champions League, losing 4-1 at St. James’ Park, Ugarte wasn’t seen again! He completely disappeared from Luis Enrique’s first team,” the 1998 World Cup winner said.

“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.”

Ugarte may not be the complete answer but he's a good start

Petit may claim that United will need more solidarity in their side, but Ugarte should help offer a backbone the team has previously lacked.

According to FBRef, he ranked in the 99th percentile for tackles made last season and in the 97th percentile for interceptions.

There are concerns that he may lack the explosive speed required to succeed in the Premier League in this role, but for the price United are paying, he is worth a look.

His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €41.6m, ranging up to €52m, which is more than the €50m fee United have shelled out initially for the player. On the face of it, this is a good deal.

Ugarte’s Man Utd debut on Saturday, when the Red Devils travel to Southampton for a lunchtime kick-off.