Erik ten Hag is confident that Manuel Ugarte will be a ‘very good player’ for Manchester United as the midfielder adapts to the Premier League.
Ugarte signed for Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee in the region of £51m on deadline day, as Ten Hag sought to add strength to his midfield options.
The Uruguay international led Ligue 1 for tackles per game last season and arrives with a reputation as a prolific ball-winner.
Ugarte has been introduced slowly into the side but made his first start in the 7-0 win over Barnsley in midweek, featuring for 62 minutes as the Red Devils progressed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The 23-year-old is pushing for a start as United travel to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday evening and Ten Hag has discussed the midfielder’s adaptation.
He said Ugarte still needs more time on the training ground with his new teammates but is confident the South American will prove to be a ‘very good’ addition to the squad.
Ten Hag confident Ugarte will shine for Manchester United
“He’s a player very short in [number of] sessions, now he has a start in him. In Southampton, he came in as a sub. Yeah, still, he’s in the process that he has come into the club,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference.
“He has to come into the team and know what is the game, what are the principles, what are the rules, and know his team-mates. So, especially, know with his profile what he can contribute for his team.
“So yeah, we are in that process and that will take some time, but it will come, it will come in a natural way. And you can already see when he is fulfilling the process he will really be a very good player for us.”
