Paul Scholes admits he already has concerns over Manuel Ugarte and believes the Uruguayan needs to be ‘some player’ in order to improve Manchester United.
Ugarte, who completed his £50.5 million move from Paris Saint-Germain last week, was given a warm reception by United supporters as he was unveiled on the pitch at Old Trafford before the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was forced to watch the game from the stands as he was not registered in time to play as Erik ten Hag’s side slumped to a 3-0 defeat.
All three of Liverpool’s goals – a first-half double from Luis Diaz and a second-half strike from Mohamed Salah – came following mistakes in United’s midfield from both Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
Casemiro was replaced at half time, while United supporters will now be hoping that Ugarte will be able to provide the defensive solidity which has been lacking in Ten Hag’s midfield.
Scholes, who was greeted by Ugarte during his unveiling at Old Trafford, has warned United supporters to not expect the Uruguay international to dictate matches from midfield.
The former United midfielder is also wary of Ugarte’s club record having spent just two seasons at Sporting CP and one campaign at PSG before joining Ten Hag’s side in the summer transfer window.
‘He’s going to have to be some player,’ Scholes said of Ugarte after United’s defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
‘I think he will play the position well, he’s still 23, he’s had a few clubs which slightly concerns you.
‘But he does play the position well. I don’t think he’ll vacate that area as much as we’ve seen, a bit more discipline, he’ll plug the gaps, I hope, that’s going to be his role.
‘I don’t think he’s going to be the greatest of playmakers – I don’t think you’re looking at a Toni Kroos.
‘He [Ten Hag] needs discipline in there, he’s obviously seen that already. Casemiro, okay, not great legs. I don’t think Mainoo as an athlete is that great. He relies more on his manipulation of the ball and his quality on the ball.
‘Ugarte has got to be everything. He’s going to have to be some player to make this team better, it’s a bit job on his hands and I just can’t see it.’
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