Copa America and Euros are probably delaying Manchester United’s transfer business but it is also providing a proving ground for their current players and a scouting space for their targets.
Perhaps no other player has impressed quite as much from a United point-of-view than Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte, who has emerged as the solid leader of a stubborn Uruguay team molded in Marcelo Bielsa’s image.
Ugarte and his team have now gained their biggest scalp of the tournament, eliminating Brazil from Copa America, winning 4-2 on penalties after drawing 0-0 in regular time.
They’ve booked a match against Colombia in the semifinals as this huge win leaves them just two matches short of a memorable Copa America win.
Facundo Pellistri also impressed in a hard-working winger role but one moment from Manuel Ugarte would particularly delight the United fans.
Ugarte’s nerves of steel in an impressive display
Uruguay knew they would have to suffer against the more tricky Brazilians, who like to dominate possession and play in the opponent’s half.
It played right into Ugarte’s hands, a player who relishes old-school type of defending, as he has proven repeatedly in a destroyer role at the base of midfield.
The defensive midfielder got stuck in with aggression and dedication and snuffed out Brazil’s attacks then laid off the ball to his teammates further forward.
He ended the game with 51 touches, completing 90% of his passes, and winning five ground duels and three tackes in a complete defensive display.
With two key passes to his name, he was also not reticent about progressing the ball and creating chances as Pellistri and Co. were willing runners when Uruguay had the ball.
However, after the game finished 0-0 in 90 minutes, it was time for penalties which is when Ugarte showed the kind of personality United need to have more of in the dressing room.
Ugarte took the fifth and final penalty in the shootout when Brazil were eyeing a comeback in the shootout. Jose Gimenez had missed Uruguay’s previous shot and the score read 3-2.
Had Ugarte not scored, Brazil would have had the chance to score theirs and take the shootout in sudden death. However, the United transfer target stepped up to the occasion and confidently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to send Uruguay into the semifinals.
A frail mentality when the tough needs to get going has regularly been a criticism of the United dressing room so Ugarte’s fifth penalty is a big moment.
Pellistri didn’t take a kick in the shootout but he was a good outlet for the team in regular team. He has emerged as one of Bielsa’s most trusted lieutenants.
Ugarte emerging as a must-buy
There were concerns about Ugarte’s quality when United were linked to him and it is not always a good idea to judge a player’s quality based on an international tournament.
However, Ugarte’s case is different. He was a highly-rated prospect at Sporting CP and moving to Paris Saint-Germain was seen as a natural progression.
Luis Enrique’s presence in Paris made him out of favour as he is a different kind of midfielder to what the Spaniard prefers so he got sidelines due to no fault of his own.
Ugarte is precisely the kind of distressed asset United need to pounce upon because the potential of a fit and firing Ugarte is limitless, especially in United’s tactical setup.
The age profile, tactical fit, personality fit, and quality are unquestionable. The question that remains now is if Ugarte will also come in as a Copa America champion.
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