Manchester United’s midfield often proved their downfall during the 2023/24 season.

Despite the emergence of the impressive Kobbie Mainoo from the academy, injuries and ageing legs meant that United’s centre was far too soft to compete with Europe’s elite. A lack of energy in the engine room was a significant contributor to a record low eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have left it late to reinforce the centre of the pitch but it appears that a long-touted deal for Pairs Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is close to being finalised. £50.7m (including add-ons) is a sizeable fee, but the 23-year-old’s potential and skill set make him an exciting addition to a reinvigorated United team.

But how should Erik ten Hag utilise the defensive midfielder? Let’s take a look.

For Ugarte, the easiest and most likely route into the United team would see him deployed as part of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 setup, which is the system that Ten Hag employs most regularly.

In such a role, he could prove a perfect partner to 19-year-old Mainoo. Ugarte’s great strengths come out of possession, covering ground and biting into tackles. While Mainoo is capable of doing those things as well, the teenager has shown the ability and willingness to play in a more advanced role for club and country.

Ugarte’s presence would enable Mainoo to play as a box-to-box midfielder, something he already does when playing alongside Casemiro.

Of course, Ugarte could also partner Casemiro. The South American pair would be a formidable defensive midfield duo, with the Brazilian providing the experience and intelligence and the Uruguayan providing the legs and energy. In games against the best attacking sides in the Premier League, it would offer United greater defensive security at their core.

Possible lineups

What seems less likely is that Ugarte will be deployed as a sole defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 system. That would require Ten Hag to dramatically change his formation, which seems unlikely given it’s the setup he has used throughout his time in the United dugout.

However, in matches where United need more bodies in deeper central areas, Ugarte would be able to operate solo with more explosive and attack-minded midfielders either side of him.

A midfield trio of Fernandes, Ugarte and Mainoo provides the kind of dynamism and energy that Man Utd have been lacking in recent seasons, even if it forces Ten Hag to alter his shape slightly.

Possible lineups

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