Manuel Ugarte’s 98 total tackles in Ligue 1 last season was more than anyone else’s. He achieved this despite starting in just 21 of 34 games, with Paris Saint-Germain spending around 66% of their time on the attack.
These numbers highlight his incredible ball-winning ability, and were even higher in his final season with former club Sporting CP. The Uruguayan international recorded 121 tackles in 31 games, the most by any player in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Only one player has averaged more tackles per 90 minutes in Europe’s top leagues over two seasons: Joao Palinha, who joined PSG for £51m last summer after helping to replace Ugarte in the Sporting midfield.
Fast forward a year and Ugarte is in demand again. Manchester United’s midfield was a problem area last season. Erik Ten Hag’s side were too easy to get through. Ugarte, nine years younger than the fading Casemiro at 23, could bring the quality they were missing.
Only Joao Palinha has made more tackles per 90 minutes than Ugarte.
Certainly, his defensive performances have had a major impact on his playing career.
“He has seven lungs and he doesn’t stop,” said Juan Ramon Carrasco, his former manager at Uruguay’s Fenix. “He has an incredible ability to steal the ball,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. “He reminds me of N’Golo Kante,” added PSG defender Lucas Hernandez.
Comparisons with Kante are a tantalising one for Manchester United fans, and are given added credence by the fact that Hernandez names Kante as a team-mate for France.
Even if he achieves half of what he has achieved in the Premier League, Ugarte will be a worthwhile investment for United.
There are some similarities. Ugarte is not only a great tackler, but also reads the game intelligently and anticipates danger with appropriate interceptions. Like Kante, he also has a powerful engine that makes his presence felt both offensively and defensively.
Manuel Ugarte, high ranking despite starting only 21 Ligue 1 games
“He dominates more than half the pitch,” Carrasco added. In fact, despite being a defensive midfielder, Ugarte ranked second in Ligue 1 last season for possession won in the last third of the pitch, a statistic that highlights his aggressive and attacking approach to defense.
Sometimes he gets close to the target. He was sent off for a late foul on Bukayo Saka while on his way to Arsenal in the Europa League with Sporting, but that was only one of two red cards he received in four seasons in Europe. He is usually smart enough to stay within the limits.
And, besides, his performance that night at the Emirates Stadium was memorable for another reason.
Before his departure, Ugarte played a key role in securing a 1-1 draw in the final minutes of extra time, allowing Sporting to advance to a penalty kick. He worked tirelessly on the ball, showed his quality in handling the ball, and ranked first among all players in both tackles and dribbles.
Ugarte attempts to block Granit Xhaka’s cross for Sporting and Arsenal
His dribbling ability is another attractive aspect of his game.
Ugarte is often able to beat opponents deep in his own half and advance the ball up the pitch. During Sporting’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals that year, only wingers Pote and Marcus Edwards completed more tackles among his teammates.
Of course, United’s most pressing problem is defence.
Ten Hag’s side conceded 58 Premier League goals last season, the highest in the club’s history. Only Sheffield United, West Ham and Luton Town allowed more shots on goal.
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Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth provides insight into Manchester United’s attempts to sign a midfielder.
More stability is urgently needed in the centre of the pitch, where opposition teams often find space, and Ugarte can provide that even if he is not a lone defensive midfielder.
“Before I came to Sporting I liked playing as a number 6, but now I’m used to playing with another player next to me,” he said in an interview while in Lisbon. “I’m a better player than I was a year ago,” he added. “I’ve adapted to a different position.”
The 23-year-old has played primarily as part of a double pivot in Sporting’s midfield, often alongside Hidemasa Morita, and he also featured in a similar fashion for Paris Saint-Germain last season, where he often played alongside Warren Jair-Emerina and Vitinha.
Manuel Ugarte has played primarily as a right midfielder rather than as a sole number 6.
His presence could be a boon for United’s Kobi Mainu. The youngster enjoyed great success last season, making a stunning breakthrough with a superb performance and decisive goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
But whenever Mainu attempted to create an attacking cross, such as the one he did at Wembley where he latched onto Bruno Fernandes’ pass, he struggled on the other end, while his midfield partner Casemiro struggled to cover the open space.
Ugarte will bring more physical strength and he can also handle the ball. He is not as adventurous in passing as Casemiro but is certainly more efficient, with his accuracy being around 91% compared to the Brazilian’s 83%.
There is room for improvement when it comes to his passing through the line, with his conservative pass selection reportedly a source of frustration for PSG manager Luis Enrique.
But his ability to keep possession is undoubtedly another part of his appeal to United. After all, many of their defensive problems last season stemmed from a lack of control in midfield. Casemiro’s ambitious passing was a contributing factor, given the frequency with which it led to turnovers.
This is another example of how Ugarte, a strong tackler, can help.
