Manchester United struggled in midfield during their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Casemiro was a disaster for the Red Devils at Old Trafford with Erik ten Hag deciding to hook the Brazilian at half-time for Toby Collyer.
United’s midfield lacked structure and Casemiro’s poor performance meant Kobbie Mainoo was left isolated far too regularly.
Ten Hag’s side was crying out for an energetic midfield to help contain Liverpool, but £42m summer signing Manuel Ugarte could only watch from the stands after his deal wasn’t registered in time on deadline day.
United now have the international break to reset and learn from their mistakes against Liverpool, and fans will hope to see Manuel Ugarte involved when they return to action against Southampton.
However, Ten Hag has just provided an update that suggests the Uruguay international may need much more time before he starts to have a big impact.
Erik ten Hag issues Manuel Ugarte fitness timeline
Ugarte cannot fix all of United’s issues that were exposed against Liverpool, but the 23-year-old should add much more balance and structure to the side.
But Ten Hag’s latest comments on United’s deadline day signing suggest supporters will have to put up with Casemiro in midfield a little while longer.
After the full-time whistle, Ten Hag told reporters “We have to build him [Ugarte] in the team and it will take time. It’s not like I am Harry Potter and that is what you have to acknowledge.
“If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season, not one match minute, and so he needs to build his fitness state and then we have to build him in the team.
“And then I am sure he will contribute to our level and he will be an important player, but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.”
Ugarte hadn’t played a single minute of football at Paris Saint-Germain before completing his move, and he only started training with United on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag might not have ‘months’
United have now slumped down to 14th in the Premier League table and Ten Hag is under huge pressure to turn things around quickly.
Ten Hag narrowly kept hold of his job this summer after United’s FA Cup win, but he is still under intense scrutiny.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pictured in the stands during the defeat to Liverpool, and United’s co-owner will soon run out of patience if Ten Hag can’t get things right.
Ugarte should not be rushed into the first-team squad if not fit – after all the last thing United need is another injury. But Ten Hag must find a fix for the midfield sooner rather than later as he might not have “months” left in the job if things continue as they are.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/MYNlazn