The veteran Brazilian midfielder, previously linked to a move to Saudi Arabia over the summer, had a disappointing performance for Liverpool, contributing to their early goals and ultimately being substituted at halftime. Meanwhile, Manchester United showcased their new signing, Manuel Ugarte, who was brought in on deadline day to address the team’s midfield struggles. However, initial observations suggest that Ugarte, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, may not be the solution United hoped for, as he has had a rocky start in Manchester.
Ugarte’s Premier League debut against Tottenham was particularly telling; despite early appearances against FC Twente and Barnsley, he seemed to create more disorder than control in the midfield. He struggled to stop opposing players, notably failing to track Micky van de Ven’s run, and was penalized with three fouls during the match.
Analyst Alex Keble had previously pointed out that Ugarte is more of a “destroyer” than a progressive player like Rodri, indicating that he differs significantly from Erik ten Hag’s earlier target, Frenkie de Jong. This raises concerns about the direction of United’s playstyle, as Ten Hag appears to be committing to a fast-paced, transition-heavy approach.
If Ten Hag’s approach relies heavily on Ugarte’s performance, early evidence suggests this could backfire, especially considering why he was let go by Luis Enrique’s team at PSG. There is a pressing need for Ugarte to acclimatize quickly, as doubts arise regarding United’s decision to not explore alternative options for replacing Casemiro or keeping hold of promising talent.
During the summer transfer window, United also sold several youth players, including Willy Kambwala, Hannibal Mejbri, and Alvaro Fernandez, while incorporating buyback options in their contracts. Notably, Maxi Oyedele, a promising defensive midfielder, was among those sold.
Despite having minimal first-team experience, Oyedele has already made an impression in Poland’s Ekstraklasa, earning a senior call-up for the national team. He demonstrated significant potential during pre-season under Ten Hag, garnering praise for his performance against Rangers.
Compared to Ugarte, Oyedele’s profile as a composed defensive midfielder, along with his strong showing in recent matches, suggests he could have been a valuable asset for Ten Hag’s squad. Although United holds a buyback clause for Oyedele, they sold him for a fee linked to his appearances, a fraction of the investment made in Ugarte. While Toby Collyer has been given a chance to step up this season, Oyedele’s defensive capabilities may have made him a smarter long-term successor to Casemiro.
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