Manchester United’s summer transfer strategy, spearheaded by manager Erik ten Hag, is already under scrutiny, with new recruit Manuel Ugarte receiving criticism just weeks into the season. Ugarte, one of five high-profile signings made by the club during the summer transfer window, has struggled to make a positive impact, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of Ten Hag’s approach to squad-building and the financial resources allocated for these acquisitions.
Former Dutch footballer Marco van Basten has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Ugarte, following Manchester United’s disappointing loss to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend. The match, which took place at Old Trafford, saw the Red Devils being dominated by their north London opponents, raising further questions about the team’s midfield stability despite Ugarte’s arrival.
The Uruguayan midfielder was signed from Paris Saint-Germain with the expectation that he would bolster Manchester United’s midfield and provide the team with much-needed defensive stability. However, his inability to control the game against Tottenham has sparked debate regarding whether he was the right choice for the club. Ugarte’s tenure at PSG lasted just one season before he made the move to the Premier League, but he arrived with considerable expectations due to his reputation as a tenacious and hardworking midfielder.
Manchester United’s summer recruitment strategy had already been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts, with many questioning the club’s spending and whether the signings made would significantly improve the squad. Erik ten Hag, who has been in charge of United’s rebuild, had hoped that the addition of players like Ugarte would strengthen key areas of the team. However, early performances suggest that the squad still has unresolved issues, particularly in midfield, where the team has struggled to assert dominance against top-tier opposition.
Van Basten’s remarks about Ugarte’s performance underline the growing concerns regarding the player’s ability to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity and physical demands. While it is still early in the season, and Ugarte may require more time to settle into English football, his underwhelming display against Tottenham has done little to ease the pressure on both him and Ten Hag.
As the season progresses, the focus will remain on whether Manchester United’s new signings, including Ugarte, can justify their price tags and contribute to the team’s success. With scrutiny mounting over the club’s recruitment strategy and transfer spending, both Ugarte and Ten Hag will need to prove that their decisions during the summer window were the right ones.
