Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag came close to sacking at the end of last season, surviving the FA Cup after setting the worst record in the club's history in the Premier League. However, at the start of the new season, the 54-year-old Netherlands' position was questioned. This time Sir Jim · Ratcliffe is said to be demanding significant improvement over the next four games or his future will be considered again.
This is not an overly high demand as the next four opponents are not strong and it looks like Palace will have a tough time away from home. Manchester United will first visit Southampton after the international break, with the Premier League side second from bottom and having scored just one goal so far. The Reds will then face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, a League One side.
The third game could be the biggest test of all, as United need to travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, where Ten Hag lost 4-0 last season. But even if they can't get revenge on the London Eagles, Ten Hag can look for victory against his former club in the Europa League at home to Twente.
Insiders say the results of Ten Hag's four games may determine how Rajue thinks of him. The new management wants Manchester United to make substantial progress, not just pay lip service to the future. Manchester United's performances at the start of the season were not satisfactory to INEOS, who felt it was too similar to last season and wanted Ten Hag to adjust his squad and improve his momentum, otherwise it would be a difficult task for him to stay in charge until next year.
Ten Hag will have to perfect his tactical system, otherwise, what happens to Casemiro today could be tomorrow for new €60 million signing Ugarte. The 32-year-old "Fat Tiger" lost the ball after two mistakes against Liverpool and was substituted at half-time; However, after the substitution, it was Bryant · Meno's turn to be tackled and the Red Devils conceded a 3-0 defeat.
This shows that Ten Hag's style of play, not just the ability of the players, is the real problem. Ugarte's defence without the ball can improve United, however, he also has weaknesses and could fall into a Casemiro-esque situation.
Ugarte is adept at confrontation, he can read the game and react quickly to defend the opposition's threat. He doesn't need to be involved in possession and doesn't like to play with the ball or play forward and break through. The 23-year-old Uruguay iron waist is accustomed to taking a deeper position and preventing quick counter-attacks from opponents in advance.
For United, this is a sorely lacking midfield barrier, with Red Devils midfielders Bruno· Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Mason· Mason, Kobe · Mayno, Christian Eriksen and the departed Scott McTominay, all preferring to attack forward rather than defend from behind.
Therefore, once Manchester United's forward pressing is broken, the midfield is a prairie where the opponent is galloping, and it is very difficult to defend. Ugarte can keep the grass and that's what United need on occasions like the game against Liverpool.
Ugarte's protection in midfield can also make United's wing-backs more daring to assist. He has more ability to run and can cover gaps in the backcourt and prevent opponents from taking advantage of attacking space. Therefore, the arrival of the Uruguay international will theoretically make Manchester United's midfield stronger and more difficult to attack.
But aggression is also a double-edged sword that needs to be combined with tactical discipline. Ugarte has not yet achieved this equilibrium, and his overly aggressive nature is a big reason why PSG has been marginalized. In this defense, Ugarte pressed too far forward and his opponent was behind him.
On another occasion, Ugarte continued to chase down opposing players, and the gap behind him was once again exploited. Once the opponent understands his characteristics, they will use the space he leaves to lure him forward, and then use the running position to counterattack. Ten Hag will need to create an overall pressing system that allows Ugarte's characteristics to play while protecting his weaknesses.
In United's midfield, Ugarte needs to act as a last resort, so he has to understand when to push forward and when to stay put. This will require United's centre-backs to link up and limit the opposition's space so that Ugarte can play with his aggression and press more aggressively.
Ugarte is not Rodri, otherwise he would not have been sold off by Grand Paris. Luis · Enrique doesn't appreciate his passing because his deliveries are mostly safe, the lines are very obvious and not threatening. However, United's new signings were highly accurate in passing, reaching 91.6 per cent last season, far ahead of Casemiro's 82.6 per cent.
But his team-mates have to provide him with the most obvious running lines, otherwise the problems he had in Paris will be repeated at Manchester United.
Opponents can feel comfortable letting him get the ball, cut off his line and look for opportunities to snatch his pass or the ball at his feet, so Ugarte may be at a loss and he will not be able to play as Rodri.
If United can't solve this problem, then Ugarte will be like Casemiro against Liverpool, who doesn't have a good passing path when he gets the ball, and is accidentally cut off and becomes the target of public criticism.
In short, Ugarte is a player with distinctive characteristics and a man needed in United's midfield, but he is not a savior and needs the right structure to succeed in the Premier League.