[sullydnl]

What is wrong about being a fouling machine if you don't get carded for it? Fernandinho did it, Caicedo was ridiculous yesterday, and Palhinha also fouled a lot. Ugarte doesn't do it more than them. It is a part of being a ball winner.

The only caveat I'd add is that where those fouls happens matters a lot.

Around 70% of Ugarte's challenges occur in the middle/attacking thirds. As long as he doesn't get sent off he can foul his heart out in those positions, as the opposition gain little in having their possession disrupted in those areas of the pitch and it typically gives us a chance to reset.

Whereas someone like Casemiro has made around 50% of his challenges in his own defensive third this season. If he was fouling as much as Ugarte, it would be a bigger problem.

Which matters in terms of what Ugarte does (persistent fouling is generally fine, but he needs to be smart around his own box) and is used. It's another reason he isn't the sort of DM you want sitting in front of the defence, you need to keep that tackle/foul volume higher up the pitch.

 

[Grand Vizier]

The only caveat I'd add is that where those fouls happens matters a lot.

Around 70% of Ugarte's challenges occur in the middle/attacking thirds. As long as he doesn't get sent off he can foul his heart out in those positions, as the opposition gain little in having their possession disrupted in those areas of the pitch and it typically gives us a chance to reset.

Whereas someone like Casemiro has made around 50% of his challenges in his own defensive third this season. If he was fouling as much as Ugarte, it would be a bigger problem.

Which matters in terms of what Ugarte does (persistent fouling is generally fine, but he needs to be smart around his own box) and is used. It's another reason he isn't the sort of DM you want sitting in front of the defence, you need to keep that tackle/foul volume higher up the pitch.

Very good point. I'd be annoyed with him if he kept fouling unnecessarily in dangerous positions for the opposition, but that's not the case. If he starts fouling inside the box or just outside consistently, it is going to be a problem, but I think Amorim will know how to get the best out of Ugarte.

For the long term, I'd imagine he will want another DM sitting while Ugarte does his business. Maybe Baleba could be a good option as he can actually sit and is very good in possession and can spray passes around.

 

[Highfather_24]

Every player does this though. They all get better stats playing against weaker opposition, evened out by the matches against tougher opposition

Caicedo's passing % doesnt dip to mid 70s against good opposition. Nor does most good midfielders who are supposed to be good ball retainers.

 

[Grand Vizier]

Caicedo's passing % doesnt dip to mid 70s against good opposition. Nor does most good midfielders who are supposed to be good ball retainers.

Caicedo had literally 75% against Brighton just over a month ago. So you could say it actually dips to mid 70s against mediocre opposition.

Mac Allister had 71% against Brighton this weekend.

So, I guess, you're wrong.

 

[Highfather_24]

Caicedo had literally 75% against Brighton just over a month ago. So you could say it actually dips to mid 70s against mediocre opposition.

Mac Allister had 71% against Brighton this weekend.

So, I guess, you're wrong.

Maybe, but sooner rather than later the bad technique and losing possession will bite us in the ass. Hopefully this is just him getting used to the pace of the league.

 

[Ekeke]

Caicedo's passing % doesnt dip to mid 70s against good opposition. Nor does most good midfielders who are supposed to be good ball retainers.

92% against Spurs and 90% in the Copa America semi final

In other words its one match

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Just don’t see it unfortunately.

 

[Joosep_K]

Was solid today but needs put shift up

 

[criticalanalysis]

He's quite progressive as he likes to hold onto the ball to carry it forward or play a pass between the lines. The issue is that he, our midfield and the team in general aren't sharp for those breaks in plays, where we can take advantage to then progress the ball forward. Too many are on their heels so that when they receive passes to feet, they're already being pressed. Very few players are actually bothered or prepared to win the second, third or fourth ball.

Hopefully Ugarte can adjust faster. He's got the work rate, not sure about the technicality. Perhaps at best he replaces Fred for all his gifts and faults.

 

[kidbob]

Will be fine under Amorim as he’s clearly a system player and we are getting the guy who had him playing his best.

 

[Red Royal]

Did OK, unlucky with the yellow card as it was someone else's mistake. We needed a solid midfielder and that is what we have.

 

[kidbob]

Also a big requirement is ironically getting our “FDJ or Carrick” to put beside him. Mainoo is and always has been a 10. When you put Mainoo at 10 and allow him to develop there then you finally have a guy at 10 who takes care of the ball. Couple that with a proper ball playing midfielder and Ugarte becomes a real asset.

 

[bosnian_red]

Thought he did well and they took much more of a foothold of the game when he came off (though obviously not solely because of that as they had to push forward from then on)

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He’s clearly a more adventurous passer of the ball than some (looking at you, Carl Anka) will give him credit for. That ping out to Amad was class. He’s not the most nimble though. Doesn’t seem to trust himself to beat anyone by taking the ball on the turn. Maybe that will come as he settles.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

He’s clearly a more adventurous passer of the ball than some (looking at you, Carl Anka) will give him credit for. That ping out to Amad was class. He’s not the most nimble though. Doesn’t seem to trust himself to beat anyone by taking the ball on the turn. Maybe that will come as he settles.

Yeah I was pleased with how he looked on the ball today. I have a bigger issue in that I’d hoped he’d be a higher level ball winner than he currently is for the price we paid.

When Casemiro first arrived, you saw instantly why he was so expensive because he’d cut out attacks constantly. I haven’t seen that same level of defensive authority from Ugarte yet which worries me

 

[Mike Smalling]

The best I’ve seen of him in a United shirt, I thought. Much better with the progressive passing.

 

[Adamsk7]

He’s a good player. Just needs a little bit of time to adjust to the speed of the premiership and gain a bit more confidence in our squad in general. Think Amorim will have him back to his best. At the very least right now he’s helping us get the best out of Casemiro who is a class footballer with a bit less responsibility

 

[groovyalbert]

Better players in his position have started worse than him. He's definitely worth sticking with, he'll come good.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

with a bit more confidence he will play those forward passes more consistently and drive forward more. He will be a good addition. At the very least we have a player who works very hard for the team who can be a key player. Similarities with Herrera and Fred.

 

[Floyd]

I wonder when he'll realize that pushing opponents in the back is always a free kick and often a yellow card?
He does that all the time when we're a bit off balance. I guess it's some sort of tactical foul which we've asked for for years, but most of the time it seems like the situation is solvable, but he'd rather take a lazy yellow card, Shaw-esque.

 

[Highfather_24]

He's not really the sitting #6, who would free up Bruno and Mainoo like a lot of people thought over the summer.

He's very similar to Fred, a terrier off the ball, likes to go chasing.

There are already people saying "we need X to really unlock Ugarte", while it was Ugarte who was supposed to unlock Mainoo and co wasnt he

I really hate how we always end up buying players who need to have other players to carry them. That's why I like Mazraoui.

 

[romufc]

He's not really the sitting #6, who would free up Bruno and Mainoo like a lot of people thought over the summer.

He's very similar to Fred, a terrier off the ball, likes to go chasing.

There are already people saying "we need X to really unlock Ugarte", while it was Ugarte who was supposed to unlock Mainoo and co wasnt he

I really hate how we always end up buying players who need to have other players to carry them. That's why I like Mazraoui.

No one said he was a sitting 6.. people described him as a ball winner not a sitter.

In the right system, he can easily free up Bruno and Mainoo.. on the ball he sits off the ball he wins the ball. It would mean on the ball Mainoo / Bruno will have licence but off the ball Mainoo drops and Ugarte pushes to win the ball.

 

[Josh 76]

He's not really the sitting #6, who would free up Bruno and Mainoo like a lot of people thought over the summer.

He's very similar to Fred, a terrier off the ball, likes to go chasing.

There are already people saying "we need X to really unlock Ugarte", while it was Ugarte who was supposed to unlock Mainoo and co wasnt he

I really hate how we always end up buying players who need to have other players to carry them. That's why I like Mazraoui.

Maybe he just needs a bit of coaching from a top manager ?

 

[Red00012]

He's not really the sitting #6, who would free up Bruno and Mainoo like a lot of people thought over the summer.

He's very similar to Fred, a terrier off the ball, likes to go chasing.

There are already people saying "we need X to really unlock Ugarte", while it was Ugarte who was supposed to unlock Mainoo and co wasnt he

I really hate how we always end up buying players who need to have other players to carry them. That's why I like Mazraoui.

He’s not supposed to be a sitting 6 to be fair

 

[AltiUn]

Reminds me of Herrera but with a good pass on him

 

[Foolsgold21]

In the current system he’s a squad player at best for where we want to be.

Best thing for him is his old Coach coming in and the switch to 3-4-3, which could make him more integral to the team.

Better passing last night was good to see at least.

 

[Remember the geese]

Reminds me of Herrera but with a good pass on him

Herrera was a better passer.

 

[BorisManUtd]

Hopefully Amorim gets the best out of him.

 

[quadrant]

I noticed yesterday that if he had time and space he could ping a decent pass, but when he had less time he got a lot more wayward. Nonetheless I thought it was a pretty comfortable performance from him and I hope this means he's settling into the club.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Herrera was a better passer.

Hererra’s passing was not good. At all. Which gets glossed over every time anyone gets nostalgic about his time here. This used to particularly bug me when Fred was getting shit for his own wayward passing, as though the bloke he replaced was any better.

 

[Remember the geese]

Hererra’s passing was not good. At all. Which gets glossed over every time anyone gets nostalgic about his time here. This used to particularly bug me when Fred was getting shit for his own wayward passing, as though the bloke he replaced was any better.

Neither is Ugarte's. Ugarte can occasionally ping the odd crossfield ball but generally he's a short and simple kind of guy.

 

[daba]

This is it for me too. I hope he’s simply lacking sharpness still but he isn’t making himself known on the pitch anywhere near as much as I thought he would.

Yeah I was pleased with how he looked on the ball today. I have a bigger issue in that I’d hoped he’d be a higher level ball winner than he currently is for the price we paid.

When Casemiro first arrived, you saw instantly why he was so expensive because he’d cut out attacks constantly. I haven’t seen that same level of defensive authority from Ugarte yet which worries me

This is it for me too. Passing isn’t his strong suit but I really thought he would be a lot more imposing than he has been. Got to hope it’s a combination of sharpness and the current system leaving him more exposed. Both should improve as the season goes on with Amorim in charge.

 

[Pronewbie]

It's shocking how timid his passing has been for us. He wasn't like this in the games/all touches clips for Uruguay and Sporting. If he can't adapt to the pace of the PL by the end of the season, we should cut loose.

Maybe Amorim's system allows for more time and passing angles for the CMs..

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Neither is Ugarte's. Ugarte can occasionally ping the odd crossfield ball but generally he's a short and simple kind of guy.

Which is fine. So long as he doesn’t give the ball away in bad areas with a careless pass. Which both Hererra and Fred were regularly guilty of. Obviously very early days but he does seem to take good care of the ball and knows when to take risks and when to keep it simple. Definitely erring on the side of being too cautious but that’s to be expected in someone who is only just settling in.

 

[Remember the geese]

Which is fine. So long as he doesn’t give the ball away in bad areas with a careless pass. Which both Hererra and Fred were regularly guilty of. Obviously very early days but he does seem to take good care of the ball and knows when to take risks and when to keep it simple. Definitely erring on the side of being too cautious but that’s to be expected in someone who is only just settling in.

Depends what the definition of "better passer" is then I guess. Herrera had a greater range. Even Fred was more expansive. Though I agree that Ugarte is more secure in the sense that he usually knows his limitations.

 

[AltiUn]

Herrera was a better passer.

I don’t think so

 

[In Absentia]

Interesting reading Amorim on Hjulmand vs Ugarte. Reckons Hjulmamd’s positioning is better, but he can’t find players “anywhere on the pitch” like Ugarte can. We obviously aren’t seeing that, but let’s give it a month or two under Amorim.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[The holy trinity 68]

In the current system he’s a squad player at best for where we want to be.

Best thing for him is his old Coach coming in and the switch to 3-4-3, which could make him more integral to the team.

Better passing last night was good to see at least.

We said that about Van de Beek and Ten Hag.

 

[Foolsgold21]

We said that about Van de Beek and Ten Hag.

Did we? Or did some just do 2+2=5?

VDB was already a flop as he had been at United for two years, had a failed loan move, and covered thousands of metres up and down the touchline warming up, by the time Ten Hag arrived.

Pretty different to Ugarte