🔍 Player Analysis — Manuel Ugarte.
In a world of hyperbole and exaggeration, a chord of objectivity needs to be struck. This thread aims to make sense of Manuel Ugarte by providing a synthesis of pros & cons, for you to formulate your own judgement.
[written by @EthanTaIks]
In a world of hyperbole and exaggeration, a chord of objectivity needs to be struck. This thread aims to make sense of Manuel Ugarte by providing a synthesis of pros & cons, for you to formulate your own judgement.
[written by @EthanTaIks]
Under the microscope…🔬
Name — Manuel Ugarte
Height — 5’11 ½
Position — Defensive Midfielder
Current Club — PSG
Nationality — Uruguay
Name — Manuel Ugarte
Height — 5’11 ½
Position — Defensive Midfielder
Current Club — PSG
Nationality — Uruguay
Linked to Manchester United, many opinions have been floating around regarding Manuel Ugarte.
Some view it as a shrewd market opportunity, harping back to his Sporting days; others perceive him as someone who does not suffice as a lone #6 or Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield partner.
Some view it as a shrewd market opportunity, harping back to his Sporting days; others perceive him as someone who does not suffice as a lone #6 or Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield partner.
Ugarte’s best football came under Rúben Amorim at Sporting.
He was used ahead of a flat back three, next to a midfield partner that would sit next to him in settled periods off the ball & on the ball in build-up, but he was tasked with anchoring when Sporting had the ball high.
He was used ahead of a flat back three, next to a midfield partner that would sit next to him in settled periods off the ball & on the ball in build-up, but he was tasked with anchoring when Sporting had the ball high.
One of the accusations against Manuel Ugarte is that he is unsuitable to be a lone #6 because he has a poor positional sense.
This is untrue. Whilst he is [over]eager to engage in duels, & is naturally drawn to the ⚽️, there is evidence of him being able to sit at the MDF base.
This is untrue. Whilst he is [over]eager to engage in duels, & is naturally drawn to the ⚽️, there is evidence of him being able to sit at the MDF base.
At Sporting, he was often tasked with being the single pivot player in a 3-1-6 rest defence shape — sound familiar?
My concerns over Ugarte as a single pivot player would not be his positional sense, but more so his aggressive, front-footed tendencies + on-ball instincts.
My concerns over Ugarte as a single pivot player would not be his positional sense, but more so his aggressive, front-footed tendencies + on-ball instincts.
Statistically, Ugarte is a high volume ball winner. He recorded 4.11 tackles (99th percentile) & 1.86 interceptions (96th percentile) p90 in 23/24, per FBRef.
Although very impressive, this data needs contextualising — he enters a high number of duels, which inflates his data.
Although very impressive, this data needs contextualising — he enters a high number of duels, which inflates his data.
Aerially however, Ugarte is not strong.
Lots has been made of United’s lack of presence on the pitch, and whilst Ugarte is one of the best in defending small spaces & winning ground duels, he does not enhance our ability in both boxes aerially (48.6% success rate in 23/24).
Lots has been made of United’s lack of presence on the pitch, and whilst Ugarte is one of the best in defending small spaces & winning ground duels, he does not enhance our ability in both boxes aerially (48.6% success rate in 23/24).
Players’ reactions to their team losing the ⚽️ largely fit into one of two criteria;
— Players that are drawn to space.
— Players that are drawn to the ball.
Whereas players in the former category will defend space upon possession loss, Ugarte is attracted towards the ball.
— Players that are drawn to space.
— Players that are drawn to the ball.
Whereas players in the former category will defend space upon possession loss, Ugarte is attracted towards the ball.
It is a blessing and a curse.
On one hand, those tendencies aid a counterpressing side that intends to win the ball high up the pitch, & if done effectively, can lead to many chances for the team to attack open space. Ugarte is one of the BEST in the business for this model.
On one hand, those tendencies aid a counterpressing side that intends to win the ball high up the pitch, & if done effectively, can lead to many chances for the team to attack open space. Ugarte is one of the BEST in the business for this model.
A sustainable playing model aims to minimise risk for the maximum reward, so the main question surrounding Ugarte’s aggressive nature is…
Is the risk of his approach too high for the potential reward?
Is the risk of his approach too high for the potential reward?
If you asked Erik ten Hag, he would likely endorse Ugarte’s aggressiveness.
All signs of his two years at Man Utd indicate an approach that intends to win the ball back ASAP & release the ball quickly to direct forwards to attack the open space — the risk is justifiable to him.
All signs of his two years at Man Utd indicate an approach that intends to win the ball back ASAP & release the ball quickly to direct forwards to attack the open space — the risk is justifiable to him.
Ugarte ticks the box of being a capable ball winner, but to execute the vertical counterpressing style that Ten Hag strives for, he also needs the ‘vertical’ element to his game — this is something that he lacks.
Most of Ugarte’s passes are safe, completed over short distances, & whilst this makes him a reliable retainer of the ball, it decreases the effectiveness of a vertical approach.
He lacks the incisiveness & verticality in his game; can that be coached into him? Unlikely.
He lacks the incisiveness & verticality in his game; can that be coached into him? Unlikely.
The reason this is unlikely to be coached into him is that he just lacks the fundamental technical base to be able to take that next step.
He is limited in both his passing technique + range. Coaching him to play a different type of ⚽️ over 25/30 yards CONSISTENTLY is difficult.
He is limited in both his passing technique + range. Coaching him to play a different type of ⚽️ over 25/30 yards CONSISTENTLY is difficult.
I do believe Ugarte does have an unfair reputation about what he offers in possession, though. He is unspectacular, but efficient in retaining & circulating.
If surrounded with technicians, which United have plenty of in their ranks, his lack of progressiveness CAN be offset.
If surrounded with technicians, which United have plenty of in their ranks, his lack of progressiveness CAN be offset.
He is not the silkiest player back-to-goal, but he does not necessarily have to be.
He’s comfortable playing short passes under pressure which can help his team evade a press & build up…
…but he does lack range in his passing, nor is his first preference on the ball to pass.
He’s comfortable playing short passes under pressure which can help his team evade a press & build up…
…but he does lack range in his passing, nor is his first preference on the ball to pass.
Ugarte’s on-ball first instinct is to carry, a trait not commonly associated with a sitting #6. In fact, he attempted 57.22 carries p90 on average in 23/24 for PSG, ranking in the top 9% for this stat line across all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, including #8’s.
With Ugarte not being an instinctive passer, he lacks the temperament to be a team’s metronome, which United lack.
Some may argue Kobbie Mainoo can be United’s rhythm setter, but he is better as a ‘connector’ (helping to move the ball between the lines) at this stage.
Some may argue Kobbie Mainoo can be United’s rhythm setter, but he is better as a ‘connector’ (helping to move the ball between the lines) at this stage.
This would likely mean United revert back to a double pivot, as already seen in pre-season, to mitigate Ugarte’s flaws but maximise his off-ball qualities in breaking up play & acting as a destroyer…
…next to Kobbie Mainoo, who will be tasked with progression duties.
…next to Kobbie Mainoo, who will be tasked with progression duties.
Ultimately, where you stand on the Ugarte deal depends on the profile of DM you want.
As a destroyer, Ugarte is a sizeable upgrade on Casemiro. He raises the physical floor, a tenacious, front-footed & proficient ball winner, whilst being a retentive upgrade on his predecessor.
As a destroyer, Ugarte is a sizeable upgrade on Casemiro. He raises the physical floor, a tenacious, front-footed & proficient ball winner, whilst being a retentive upgrade on his predecessor.
However, he lacks the verticality + expansiveness in his passing to release the ball over long distance consistently when he wins it back, and additionally the technical base to be the “100-touch man” profile that some may desire.
Arguably, better suited to a double pivot, too.
Arguably, better suited to a double pivot, too.
But what do you think? Is Manuel Ugarte the correct profile of midfielder that Manchester United should be targeting?
Or do you think that we should be targeting a different player? If so, who is that player?
Thanks for reading, as always, please let us know your thoughts! ❤️
Or do you think that we should be targeting a different player? If so, who is that player?
Thanks for reading, as always, please let us know your thoughts! ❤️
🎨 Special shoutout to the incredible @vec_77 for the Manuel Ugarte graphic at the top of the thread.
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