"The fans will love him" - Owen Hargreaves suggests 23-year-old Manchester United star can make impression like Paul Scholes at Old Trafford
Former Manchester United midfielder believes Manuel Ugarte could have the same effect as club legend Paul Scholes at Old Trafford. The Uruguayan midfielder joined the Red Devils this summer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Ugarte first caught the eye with Sporting and subsequently earned a move to the Parc des Princes in 2023. Despite a decent first season with the Parisians, manager Luis Enrique deemed the 23-year-old surplus to requirements at the end of the campaign.
Manchester United were hot on his heels all through the summer and finally managed to strike a deal with PSG late in the window. Since his arrival, Ugarte has appeared four times for the Red Devils, two of which have been starts.
However, he has already caught the imagination of fans with his work ethic and looks like an upgrade on Casemiro. Against FC Twente in the Europa League, he registered four tackles, two interceptions, two clearances, and one block.
Speaking recently, as cited by United in Focus, Hargreaves insisted that Ugarte is just what Manchester United need.
“This kid will deliver because he is a player. He’s a one man press, tackle [machine]. He turns the ball over as good as anyone in European football. The fans will love him. They have seen these players over the years. The Bryan Robsons, the Paul Inces, the Paul Scholes, the Michael Carricks…,” said Hargreaves.
He continued:
“He gives you that balance. He’s not the best attacking player, but for protecting the defence and winning the ball back, he is just what they need. I love the fact they signed a kid like him because he’s got the heart of a lion. The fans love that type of player. He’s going to be perfect for United.”
Ugarte is the fifth Uruguayan to play for the Red Devils and has previously expressed pride at following in the footsteps of Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani.
Will Manuel Ugarte start for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur?
Manchester United have endured a mixed start to the new Premier League campaign. The Red Devils have won two and lost two of their five games in the league so far.
Interestingly, Manuel Ugarte is yet to start in the Premier League, with Erik ten Hag looking to build up his fitness due to a lack of pre-season. The Uruguayan's two starts have come in the Europa League and against Barnsley in the EFL Cup.
Ugarte, incidentally, registered 4.6 tackles per game last season in Ligue 1. The last player to register that many in Ligue 1 and move to the Premier League the following campaign was N'Golo Kante for Caen in the 2014/15 season.
As such, perhaps it is time for the Uruguayan to make his first start for Manchester United in the Premier League. With Tottenham Hotspur plotting to pile the pressure on Ten Hag this weekend, Ugarte's involvement could determine if the Red Devils pick up all three points.