Manuel Ugarte to Man Utd gets seal of approval, Champions League winner says he is ‘what we need’

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Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte’s arrival is eagerly anticipated ahead of his potential debut.

Manuel Ugarte could be making his debut for Manchester United in a matter of days.

If this weekend’s match at Southampton is too soon for Ugarte, then next week’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Barnsley is a more likely option.

United spent all summer chasing Ugarte, finally clinching a £42 million transfer deal on deadline day.

• READ: Who is Manuel Ugarte? Everything you need to know on Uruguay midfielder

Manuel Ugarte to United excites Nicky Butt

Former Manchester United star and 1999 Champions League winner Nicky Butt believes Manuel Ugarte can have a big impact at Old Trafford.

Butt told United’s official media: “I’ve seen a bit of him last year and I think he’s what we need.

“He’s got legs and he’s aggressive. Hopefully, he’ll shore up that midfield.

“The one thing it is lacking, and it has got a lot of talent in there going forward, is we can be a little open when teams are on the counter-attack against us. So, hopefully, he’ll make the difference.

“They want someone to do the dirty work and put in the work that people don’t tend to like to do. But it’s a very important job in front of the back four.”

Ugarte is the tough tackling enforcer who Manchester United targeted as a more youthful alternative to Casemiro.

Casemiro has struggled to fulfil the role over the past year, lacking the mobility to get across the pitch, and against Liverpool he was culpable for two goals conceded after making two errors.

Ugarte provides freshness

Manuel Ugarte will add a fresh energy into Manchester United’s midfield, and it is desperately needed at this point.

There is a concern United still do not have the numbers, with an over-reliance on teenage wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.

Was it a mistake from Ineos not to sign an additional midfielder along with Ugarte? It certainly places a lot of pressure on the Uruguay midfielder to be a transformative player.

Nicky Butt believes he can be, and he is a former player who knows the position, so his words carry some real weight. Ugarte will be keen to get started, whenever Erik ten Hag is ready to unleash him.