Manchester United have a dilemma in midfield, which was a glaring problem in the defeat to Liverpool.
Casemiro’s form was shaky during pre-season, and despite a positive performance in the season opener against Fulham, he was desperately poor against Liverpool, and hooked at half-time.
The good news is Manchester United have an elite new midfielder coming into the side, deadline day signing Manuel Ugarte.
Former United star Paul Scholes warns Ugarte will ‘have to be some player’ to transform United. And the good news is, he might just be one.
Owen Hargreaves on Manuel Ugarte
Scholes’ former Manchester United teammate Owen Hargreaves is confident in Manuel Ugarte’s ball-winning ability, and believes he could go a long way to solving the Casemiro problem.
Hargreaves told Rio Ferdinand Presents that Casemiro needs help alongside him in midfield.
He said: “I think now he needs to be put in a position where he’s a little bit more protected, where he has got people around him, because obviously his confidence would have gone down big time.”
Many fans envision Manuel Ugarte partnering Kobbie Mainoo – and for top games this may be correct. But Mainoo needs his rest – and so we could well see a Ugarte and Casemiro partnership blossom.
Hargreaves said: “The manager has got to say, right, I have got Casemiro there, he’s one of our best players, he’s on a big contract. I have got to put somebody around him to help him, and I will tell you who might be that guy – Ugarte.
“That kid is unreal out of position. He’s a walking tackle, so maybe that’s a good little fit, you know, play a little double six and play Ugarte and Casemiro for a little bit to keep the solidity a little bit, play Bruno as a number 10.”
Erik ten Hag’s Harry Potter line
Manchester United fans may have to wait a little time for Manuel Ugarte to get fully fit – with the manager quipping he is ‘not Harry Potter’ who could wave a wand and magically get him up to speed.
The light-hearted comment went down like a lead balloon after the 3-0 home defeat, and Hargreaves was not impressed.
He said: “That Harry Potter line is not a good one. You can’t say that. You can’t say that because the boys are thinking, you set the team up, you are the one who said the full-back should be high when we are getting it, and the first goal comes from Diaz at the back post.”
United’s players are currently heading off on international break, Ugarte included, who is expected to play for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifiers.
Providing he avoids injury, getting some game time should be helpful to benefit his match sharpness ahead of his return to United.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
