LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup ... [+]
There are many areas that Manchester United need to strengthen going into next season, both on and off the field, but perhaps the midfield is the most crucial in resolving.
It had been an increasingly difficult season for Erik ten Hag and his midfield, which had seen Casemiro, signed for £60 million two summers ago, lose form and consistency on a dramatic scale.
During the Brazilian’s first season at Old Trafford, the midfielder was the heart of everything good at Manchester United. Heart, desire, confidence, strength in the tackle, quickly moving the ball forward and with purpose. He broke up play well and distributed it thereafter, even chipping in with important goals, such as the opening one against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
But this season, it has been a different story. Casemiro has rarely looked fit to last 90 minutes and been moved so heavily out of position by the opposition dragging him into no man’s land for a defensive midfielder. His tactical discipline had seemingly left him, rushing into tackles and one-on-ones when it would have been more adept in remaining in front of the defence and protecting them.
BLANKENHAIN, GERMANY - JUNE 29: Kobbie Mainoo of England reacts during a training session at Spa & ... [+]
The arrival of Kobbie Mainoo into the first team after his lengthy injury gave Manchester United’s midfield a huge uplift. The England international, who is currently with the national team at the European Championship,
Mainoo is the present and future of the Red Devils, occupying the number eight role, but can fill in at six should he be required to do so. The Englishman has shown an incredible technical and tactical level to his game, with plenty more to come given this was his first full season in the first team and recently turned 19 years of age.
With Christian Eriksen and Casemiro likely to leave the club this summer should suitable offers come in, plus the 50-50 decision to be made on Sofyan Amrabat from ACF Fiorentina, Manchester United will be in the market for one, if not two, midfielders this summer.
One player that is currently being explored is Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte, who is currently representing Uruguay in this year’s edition of Copa America. The 23 year old has not had the easiest first season under manager Luis Enrique in the French capital, having been used inconsistently throughout the campaign.
In the biggest matches of the Parisiens’ season, against Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League knockout rounds, Ugarte was used for 23 minutes. It showed a complete lack of trust and faith in Ugarte by Enrique, who went on to say that the Uruguayan cannot lose the ball when he is not playing.
TOPSHOT - Uruguay's midfielder #05 Manuel Ugarte fights for the ball with Bolivia's forward #11 ... [+]
There is certainly a criticism to Ugarte’s play in how bullish and, perhaps, over-excited he can become, but this is also a player who was excellent for Sporting CP across two full seasons – including a brilliant display against Arsenal in the Champions League before being sent off in the 118th minute.
Whether the Uruguayan can be trusted as a lone six in ten Hag’s system is a question that many are posing, but there is no doubt that from a physical standpoint, Ugarte has the tools necessary to become an influential player in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are not being dragged into a high-price summer market this time round under INEOS’ management. Just as Joshua Zirkzee’s pursuit that will cost £34 million, Ugarte is likely to be around the £40 million mark.
Manchester United need reinforcement in midfield, but most importantly, they need players who can be trusted not to abandon their station when the going gets tough.
