Man Utd have a midfield at last! Manuel Ugarte-Kobbie Mainoo axis is stable platform for Ruben Amorim’s side
The energetic and youthful duo were key to the Red Devils’ classy performance against Liverpool, and now there can be no going back
To paraphrase UK indie landfill greats The Automatic, ‘What’s that coming over the hill, is it a midfield?’ Manchester United’s lack of a proper presence in the middle of the park has been a concern for around a decade, but when up against a Liverpool team that have made huge strides in that area this season, it was the Red Devils who ruled the centre of the pitch.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte struck up a fine partnership in the 2-2 draw at Anfield, with help from Bruno Fernandes dropping deep to help them out of possession, and they managed to prevent Liverpool from ever getting comfortable while also building sustained attacks. It was a radical transformation from the shambolic defeat at home to Newcastle six days earlier, when United’s midfield was staffed by Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, with Joshua Zirkzee in front of them before he was hauled off in the 33rd minute for Mainoo.
The return of the suspended Ugarte and Fernandes as well as Mainoo playing from the start made a world of difference, and it is now crystal clear that Mainoo and Ugarte should start every game together when possible. They can be the foundation upon which Ruben Amorim can rebuild his team from the rubble and make performances like Anfield the norm, not the exception.
More energy, more understanding
Starting Mainoo and Ugarte over Casemiro and Eriksen lowered the average age of United’s midfield duo from 32 to 21, and the change in personnel not only significantly raised the energy levels, it also led to a better understanding between the two players. Whereas Casemiro was in his own world against Newcastle, shanking hopeless shots over the bar and passing the ball out of play, Mainoo and Ugarte worked together to disrupt Liverpool’s flow.
The Uruguayan helped Mainoo rob Curtis Jones in the first half, leading to a sustained period of possession from United which led to Rasmus Hojlund finding himself one-on-one with Alisson. Ugarte won three out of four tackles, more than anyone else on the pitch, and he often turned defence into attack in an instant. In the second half, for example, he stuck out a foot to prevent Trent Alexander-Arnold finding Mohamed Salah, prodding the ball in the direction of Matthijs de Ligt who started a United counter.
Ugarte also began the move for Harry Maguire’s last-gasp chance with a raking cross-field ball out to Fernandes having previously robbed Alexis Mac Allister to help United see out the first half with another long period of possession.