Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has been criticized for his decision not to start Manuel Ugarte against Southampton.
The Red Devils were able to beat the Saints 3-0 after an earlier scare when the hosts won a penalty which was eventually saved by Andre Onana.
However, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, Ten Hag’s side comfortably won the match against the newly promoted side.
Garte was expected to start the game but the manager decided to keep him on the bench and introduced him in the second half.
ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop criticized Ten Hag’s decision not to start new signings in a relatively easy game.
Speaking on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, Hislop said Ten Hag should have started in midfield in the game as adapting to tough games going forward will be difficult for the PSG midfielder.
He said:
“To me, why don’t you include Ugarte? You won’t be gone for long [Christian] Eriksen, you won’t go long with Casemiro, and it’s about a weak opponent in Southampton – which they were.
“I don’t get it. And the reason I say I don’t get it is because I started the season, you bring it in [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Matthijs] De Ligt. He starts with Mazraoui without asking, and I’m not in the training ground so I’m not sure if Ten Hag can see.
“But if you’re willing to drop players straight away – and those two signing days before the opening day of the season or the Community Shield – go ahead and drop those players.
“You’ve got Southampton, throw them in at the end and let them hold their own in a tough test at Crystal Palace.” And then whatever else comes. I just don’t get the kind of reluctance to take that gamble.”
Man United’s pitch has struggled over the past few seasons
Ugarte was signed by the Red Devils to solve their known problems in midfield.
Casemiro has shown time and time again that he is past his prime and cannot help Man United.
His time at the top is coming to an end soon and United need someone young, athletic and fluid in midfield.
Christian Eriksen faces the same situation as Casemiro, although his form is not as bad as the Brazilian’s.
Man United have decided to let Scott McTominay leave the club this summer, making the signing of Ugarte even more important.
Hislop makes sense in what he says as the Red Devils face tough games going forward and playing with Ugarte and Southampton would give him confidence and momentum in his United career.
Top photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
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