“He’s been on my radar a long time” - Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag opens up on key summer signing, backs him to be a pivotal figure

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opined that midfielder Manuel Ugarte will play a key role for the club after joining this summer. The former Ajax boss revealed that the Uruguayan has been on his radar for a while, having faced him in the past.

Ugarte joined the Red Devils from French champions PSG after protracted talks, which lasted for well over a month, between the sides. The 23-year-old midfielder had moved to Paris from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2023 but failed to settle into life in the French capital.

Erik ten Hag has been backed in the transfer market, with the Red Devils signing five new senior players this summer. The Dutch manager saw compatriots Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee join the club, as well as Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Ugarte.

The Manchester United manager spoke to the media about the imminent debut of Uruguay international Ugarte, who was the last of the new players to arrive at the club. He claimed that his position on the pitch is one of huge importance, but he trusts that Ugarte knows his role.

Ten Hag said (via The Telegraph);

“He’s been on my radar a long time, he played for Sporting Lisbon against Ajax. He’s coming in as a late transfer but he’s playing a very important position, connecting the defending with attacking and attacking with defending."

“Communication is very important to guide the team and lead the team, make the connections between defense and attack. We have to help and guide him about how to play that role but what we have seen, he knows a lot already and has the profile where we think he can fit in that role. We have to teach him some details about how it works in our team.”

Ugarte is expected to come in for Casemiro, who had to endure the ignominy of being hauled off at half-time in the defeat to Liverpool. The midfielder got his first minutes of the season with the Uruguay national team during the international break and has proven his fitness.

Teenage star included in Manchester United Premier League squad

Malian teenager Sekou Kone has been included in the official Manchester United squad for the 2024-25 Premier League season. The 18-year-old midfielder saw his name included as one of the U-21 players to possibly represent the club in the Premier League.

Kone joined the Red Devils for around £1 million from Malian club Guidars after shining at the FIFA U-17 World Cup as his country finished third. The youngster is expected to begin to feature with the U-18s before potentially progressing to the first team.

Sekou Kone will look at the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo as examples of young players who have made the first team under the current manager. The teenager will be keen to maximize his opportunities and make a name for himself at Manchester United.