Dutch legend Marco van Basten criticises Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for signing Manuel Ugarte in the summer.
Manuel Ugarte, who joined United from Paris Saint-Germain, has not started life in the Premier League as he would have planned.
The £42m deadline day arrival came with expectations of being the answer to the Casemiro problem that was evident last season. Having been run ragged in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, after performing poorly against FC Twente, the 23-year-old was dropped for the last two games.
Ten Hag left the Uruguay international on the bench against FC Porto and Aston Villa. He instead started Christian Eriksen alongside Kobbie Mainoo and replaced the latter with Casemiro in the second half.
However, it’s still early days for Ugarte at United, and he hasn’t walked into a settled team. He needs to start performing quickly, or critics will be labelling him a flop.
Manuel Ugarte transfer described as ‘bizarre’ by Dutch legend
Speaking on Ziggo Sport, Van Basten said (via @TheEuropeanLad): “How on earth did Erik ten Hag decide to spend €50m for Ugarte? It’s bizarre.
Van Basten was asked a follow up question: ‘But you only watched two games of him so far?’
The former Netherlands international said: “Yes, and I only needed those two games to see that he’s not even worth 25% of that amount.”
🗣️ – Van Basten: “How on earth did Erik ten Hag decide to spend €50M for Ugarte? It’s bizarre.”
• But you only watched 2 games of him so far though.
🗣️ – Van Basten: “Yes, and I only needed those 2 games to see that he’s not even worth 25% of that amount.” pic.twitter.com/JhDwbs1VmH
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 8, 2024
Everyone knows that the world is watching United. It means our players get criticised from every angle, but Ugarte will need to cope with that if he is to be a success at Old Trafford.
We desperately need a midfielder to come in and protect the back four as well as get balls forward into the final third.
Only time will tell if Ugarte is the right fit. Ten Hag will certainly hope so.
