The introduction of Manchester United’s new midfield signing, Manuel Ugarte, was marred by a 3-0 defeat against their biggest rivals, Liverpool. The struggles in midfield have been a consistent issue for United under manager Erik ten Hag’s tenure, as well as in years past. The team’s inability to control games from the midfield has been a significant problem that has plagued the team for over a decade.
With the signing of Ugarte, there is hope that he can finally be the solution to United’s midfield problems. The 23-year-old midfielder is expected to bring youthful energy, athleticism, tenacity, ball-winning ability, and defensive awareness to the team. The hope is that he will provide the defensive solidity that has been lacking in the midfield for a long time.
Defensive Midfield Issues
United’s defensive midfield issues have been exacerbated by poor recruitment decisions in recent years. Players like Casemiro, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Nemanja Matic were past their best when signed by the club. Additionally, other players like Fred, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Ander Herrera were never of the quality required to play the defensive midfield role for a club of United’s stature.
The repeated failure to sign the right defensive midfielder has left United desperate for Ugarte to succeed. The last time the club signed a world-class defensive midfielder was in 2007 when Owen Hargreaves joined from Bayern Munich. Since then, United has struggled to find a player who can effectively fill the role.
Addressing Defensive Issues
While Ugarte’s arrival is a step in the right direction, there are still other defensive issues that need to be addressed. Lisandro Martínez’s defensive recklessness and Bruno Fernandes’ tendency to leave gaps in midfield need to be dealt with. Ten Hag will need to make tweaks to the team to ensure that it performs as it should.
Manchester United’s defensive midfield issues have plagued the team for years. The signing of Manuel Ugarte represents a step in the right direction, but he alone will not solve all of the team’s defensive woes. It will take a collective effort from the team and the coaching staff to address the underlying issues and ensure that United can compete at the highest level once again.