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Manchester United’s solitary midfield addition during the summer transfer window was Manuel Ugarte, but his career at Old Trafford has been disastrous.

Ineos recognised the gaping holes which were a constant issue for Manchester United in midfield last season and immediately made it a priority position.

In an effort to reinforce and overhaul the position, Manuel Ugarte was ultimately opted for as the ideal midfield solution – but his first few months have been far from smooth for the Uruguayan.

Ugarte has looked off the pace so far, with pundits admitting they feel sorry for the former PSG star United spent £50m on.

The midfield has been under immense critique so far this season with Rio Ferdinand among those levelling concerns. Although Owen Hargreaves thinks differently, claiming Ugarte could become a legend.

Now, one pundit has suggested that Ineos made an error with Ugarte.

Jerdy Schouten would have been better than Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte’s poor start has seen him already left on the bench for two successive games – including the crucial visit to Villa Park.

Dutch football pundit Hans Kraay has been discussing Ugarte and mentioned that PSV’s 27-year-old Jerdy Schouten would have been a far better signing.

“He is top-top in the Eredivisie. He was great at the European Championships. And was insanely good in the Champions League against Sporting Portugal”, Kraay raved about Schouten while writing an article for Voetbal Zone.

“Jerdy Schouten is always playable, also in coverage, and has eyes on his back.

“Two players shoot by with that last feature in my mind: Zinedine Zidane and Luka Modric. I think he is now almost too good for the Eredivisie”, Kraay explained in a line full of praise.

“When I look at Manchester United’s controlling midfielder, Manuel Ugarte, who has paid fifty million for, then Schouten is many times better.”

United were actually linked with making a swoop for Schouten during the summer prior to signing Ugarte.

Manchester United could have benefited from Schouten

As a player, Schouten is very different from Ugarte and boasts qualities far more befitting the kind of football that Erik ten Hag would ideally want to play.

As seen in Schouten’s stats, he is an imposing defensive midfielder who would have been – on paper – the perfect midfield addition for United.

We are far from writing off Ugarte, but it is easy to see that Schouten’s qualities may have been more effective for United this season and also for cheaper than the £42m Ugarte ended up costing.

Ugarte has a role to play for United and he could shock everyone – but for now, Ten Hag will likely be wishing he got Schouten instead.

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