Man Utd are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer with the club closing in on an agreement for a future Casemiro replacement. The Red Devils are nearing an agreement with PSG to sign £50.8m star Manuel Ugarte.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan ball-winner is as close as it gets to Casemiro in terms of profile and considering how the Brazilian’s season panned out last year, it’s a good choice for Man Utd to sign an alternative.
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Ugarte can also learn from the Real Madrid legend and hone his game and be ready to replace Casemiro a season or two down the line. The Uruguayan has all the tools to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
So, how could Man Utd line up with Manuel Ugarte and their other summer signings on the pitch, once everyone is fit and available to go?
Andre Onana is nailed in to start in goal unless an injury occurs. In front of him, three new signings could make up the back four.
Noussair Mazraoui could start as the right-back with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro forming the central defensive partnership. We have decided to go with Diogo Dalot down the left considering Luke Shaw is hardly available these days.
The holding midfield positions are likely to be occupied by Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, with Casemiro dropping to the bench. Bruno Fernandes, the captain is likely to start as the #10 as he looks to conduct play from midfield.
Marcus Rashford is a shoo-in to start on the left side of the attack with Amad Diallo on the right. The African winger seems to be ahead of Alejandro Garnacho in the pecking order as things stand. Joshua Zirkzee, yet another signing could occupy the #9 role.
Of course, this is a very idealistic line-up and it’ll be a huge surprise if we see all five new signings in the same starting XI at some point this season. However, this is the option that Erik ten Hag has and let’s see how he plans to use Ugarte once he is signed.
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