According to The Pitch Prospect’s Tim Vickery, Manchester United’s future midfielder Manuel Ugarte is the young Javier Mascherano.
The Uruguayan defensive midfielder is expected to join Man United after the Red Devils agreed a transfer fee of £42.29 million Paris Saint Germainwith the potential for additional payments of £8.46 million.
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His arrival depends entirely on the product of the Academy Scott McTominay to complete his move to Naples – a decision that did not go down well with the club legend Rio Ferdinand.
But although everything is still uncertain, The Pitch Prospect’s South American football expert believes that the Red Devils have already won the poker game with PSG.
When asked if he thought Ugarte would be a good fit for Man United, Vickery said: “Yes, I think so. Especially after seeing United. [against Fulham].
“They were again so open to the Fulham Counter-attack, they were lucky not to allow that counter-attack from Fulham. That’s the gap he’s supposed to fill.
“A defensive midfielder who shields the midfield. He also initiates plays with sharp passes.”
“He reminds me a lot of Javier Mascherano”, Vickery continued, mentioning the former Liverpool and West Ham star.
“I think it fits well.
“This entire transfer window was a game of poker between United and Paris Saint-Germain.
“But it seems like everything is moving in the direction of Ugarte going to United and trying to fill that gap.”
Mascherano, now retired and coaches Argentina’s U20 team, is considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation.
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He won the Champions League twice, two La Liga titles with Barcelona and two Olympic gold medals with Argentina.
He also made a name for himself in the Premier League with West Ham from 2006 to 2007 and with Liverpool from 2007 to 2010.
The 23-year-old Ugarte has now played 37 games for PSG.
He won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions with the French club after being promoted from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
Ugarte moved to PSG for £51.4 million Chelsea to his signature.
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