Rio Ferdinand has shared his thoughts on Manuel Ugarte ahead of the Uruguayan’s arrival at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are on the verge of announcing Ugarte as their fifth major summer signing. The defensive midfielder is currently undergoing a medical before completing his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
United are set to pay £50 million for Ugarte, who impressed at the Copa America earlier this summer. The Reds will pay £42m up front and a further £8m in add-ons.
Fans will hope that Ugarte is registered in time to feature against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ugarte was signed as a long-term replacement for Casemiro with United eager to find a more suitable midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo.
“I’ve looked at a few of his stats, high-volume stats by the way on tackles and interceptions and duels,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents channel.
“And he’s Uruguayan, they’ve got that tough, solid, rugged mentality. That little bit of edge he brings to the team I think will be really, really good.
“He’s not a Kante-type quick, but he’s dynamic when pressing the ball in different areas of the pitch.
“He’s not somebody who is going to be getting the ball like a Busquets or a Rodri and dictating the play with intricate passes and passing through the lines.
“I think he’s a simple passer of both feet, keeps it simple. Keeps it ticking. Always available, always showing.
“But don’t expect him to be hitting 30, 40-yard passes. I think he’s an economical footballer.”
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