Not dismissing it outright but certainly cynical about it and will adopt a wait-and-see approach. ETH press conferences should be revealing. Also, Ugarte not featuring heavily until end Sep is to be expected IMHO because the role is demanding and requires a lot of tactical knowledge of our system. So don't just believe the media and influencer gossip if that happens.
Manuel Ugarte | Romano - he’s signed | Awaiting Club announcement
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Let's see if Erik is smiling or not when the pictures with Ugarte signing the contract come out...
This definitely won't backfire"Pray for Rodri" is trending on Twitter because of Ugarte
I love the shamelessness of some fans, unironically
He didn't say it after the fact. It was said weeks ago.
I believe there was disagreement. However, it has since been resolved and reluctantly ten Hag has accepted that McTominay could go at the right price.
Ten Hag would have been perfectly content to keep McTominay and sign Amrabat.
He should be he'll save his job
That's a lot of money ETH has had to spend now. What's the minimum expectation for him this season? Trophy and top four?
Signing makes sense. United had a huge hole in midfield last season.
Signing makes sense. United had a huge hole in midfield last season.
There's a chance that Ugarte makes the bench against Liverpool. I assume he will get minutes throughout September and the only reason he might not feature heavily straight away is because of his lack of pre season.
7th
Wtf, ETH rating McT?? He now has a young proper DM yet didn't want him?
I think the idea that Ugarte has been a club target and Ten Hag wasn't sure has been said by reliable journalist too. Pretty sure one of Anka or Whitwell said it on Talk of the Devils.
Not sure the idea that ten Hag was a huge fan of McTominay's is anything other than common knowledge either. In fact, I think it's widely reported that he would have been kept but wasn't happy with the role being suggested.
ITK or not (and let's be honest probably not) that narrative could be cobbled together from reliable journos as well. In fact, I suspect that's what the Muppetiers people did.
Let’s not believe everything posted in the interweb, shall we?
Yes, I prefer to have Bruno as false 9 with Mount pressing upfront with him and drop Mainoo. Garnacho/Rashford/Amad on the wings. I would like to see us press more upfront and have more legs there. This means Bruno and Mount should not come deep and let the build up come from Casemiro/Ugarte/Licha
So a hypothetical response to a hypothetical statement means I need to grow up?
There's that but it is certainly not the only reason, let alone the main reason. Same as when Casemiro joined. He'll need time to adapt.
It's the 'muppetiers'
, of course it isI'm really looking forward to watch him play, specially alongside Mainoo and Bruno. Maybe they can finally do more of what they are best at (create chances) without having to worry too much about their DM being out of position or being to slow to track back(looking at you older Casemiro). Also might give our defence proper protection as well.
Maybe, maybe not. I think he'll be in the team regularly once we deem him fit enough. He's a very robust player.
Assuming what was written in the tweet is correct.
He doesn't have the luxury of not playing Ugarte. Our performance levels are falling off from a cliff after 70 minutes, like we are a championship team due to Mainoo's age and inability to complete 90 minutes with the same running tempo, and then, Casemiro and Bruno's Hollywood passing when he needs to slow down the game. You cant win games if your midfield can't run back, no matter how talented you are. Unless Ten Hag is so daft, and trying to show one to the hierarchy, he will play him.
Klopp did not want Salah either, so you see how that turned out. We need running legs, desperately, and I'm glad he got outvoted on this.
I think it's worth contextualizing this a little. It's fair to say that when our current squad is fit - ETH almost never starts Mctominay in any combination of tactical approaches. The most common tactical approach for how ETH uses Mctominay can be thought of in a couple of dimensions: primarily as a substitute from the 70 min+ mark, and as a utility player who serves a couple of key tactical functions:
- To provide athleticism and power when out of possession, particularly defending set pieces (which we are already notoriously poor at winning first and second balls)
- To provide a goal threat by crashing the box with conviction
- To your point - it’s worth noting that he is almost never deployed as an actual DM (this is purely my eye test, but happy to be shown alternative data points)
In those respects, I think Ugarte, while athletic across the midfield third, does not really impact both boxes in the way Mctominay is typically leveraged tactically. I can understand why ETH is reluctant to lose that option - even if I don’t personally agree with it. That said, all signs point to Ugarte also being a strong character with fighting attributes, so hopefully this is a signing that will continue to build on the cultural aspect of the squad.
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Pre Liverpool press conference and he says...
"Mctominay's gone? Ugarte be kidding me. The board went over my head.
Heh."
Not sure if true but to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised. I was expecting a something totally different from Ten Hag but instead got a completely shite version of Jurgen Klopp with none of the charisma.
Well that’s news to me. Just googled him and all I can say is, “what kind of job is that other than one for boys?” A very strange job description but at least it will keep him out of trouble and out of OT.
And when we have a bad run Eric will get a golden boot up the arse and out of OT.
Not really, here's what he was saying at the start of august:
He's clearly trying to get his own spin on the latest news, but if he's never brought this up until now, it can't have been that big of a deal a month ago when the conversation would have happened.
I think it was resolved a while ago. Most likely the difference of opinion came quite early in the window.
Should be. The squad is certainly good enough to be getting top 4 and winning the Europa League. Missing out on both would definitely warrant a sacking
Perform like a team who deserves to finish top 4, show control and balance in games, etc.
People still believe 'The Muppetiers'?
Serious question, why isn't ETH under pressure to at least compete for the league? Feels like he's been given more backing than he could've dreamed.
Because we aren't anywhere near good enough to win the league.
Between Ugarte and Lisandro, we have two of the biggest cnuts in the Prem.
Maybe we show more fight this year.
Maybe we show more fight this year.
In theory that actually sounds like a well-balanced three. Good lord.
Which is why we should have spent the extra 10m and gave him hit the ground running to start the season. We’re already in a hole, and all we’re trying to accomplish this season is top four.
I wonder why PSG didnt try him in the #8 role ahead of Vitinha in the #6. Or did they because I havent seen a lot of PSG post their CL exit.
If we ever move back to a 4-3-3, its something we will have to ponder as well, because Ugarte is not really a player for the single pivot. In a 4-3-3, he will play the Herrera/Fred role.
All I want to know is will he be signed in time to play against the scousers and break some legs 
Not sure I agree. Of course ideally we have everyone signed up as soon as possible, but not to the detriment of our finances.
If they ask for 60m and you negotiate it down to 50+10 with a sell on clause, did you actually gain much other than being able to claim that you negotiated a better deal?
I guess it depends on the nature of the add ons but in a lot of scenarios the add ons plus sell on will be roughly as valuable as 10m more fixed.
Thought he was due in to Manchester today for a medical? None of the usual airport/carrington sightings?
Because Vitinha is better.
A €10m saving is not to be sniffed at. I'd much prefer we negotiate a deal we are happy with than just flat out accept whatever the selling club are demanding.
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