Aggression, composure and work rate are three key attributes absent from the Manchester United midfield for many years but offered in abundance by a promising partnership.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte occupied the central midfield at Anfield on Sunday in a manner that Ruben Amorim will revel in before the Red Devils’ next outing against Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Arguably the most pivotal role in any team, often described as the engine room, United lacked any real prowess in this area for a long time.
Occupied by the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in years gone by, will Mainoo and Ugarte be the midfield pairing United fans have longed for?
A complimentary midfield pairing
This is not the first time the duo have started together in midfield, and it would be short-sighted to view the Anfield performance in isolation.
Kobbie Mainoo is a starlet, a teenage sensation who, undoubtedly, will be at the heart of this midfield for many years to come. The teenager has not been performing to the best of his abilities lately, but we have seen two performances in the last week to suggest the Englishman is back to his best.
His first-half substitution vs Newcastle coincided with a more controlled and cohesive manner from the entire team. The midfielder has shown maturity beyond his years on the field since his debut last season, and he will be crucial in turning his team’s fortunes around.
Manuel Ugarte has excelled since the arrival of Amorim, his former manager at Sporting Lisbon, arriving to the fore as a standout performer in a struggling team.
The Uruguayan possesses an engine similar to United legend Ji-sung Park and an aggressive nature which hasn’t been seen at Old Trafford since the Ander Herrera days.
How he can utilise his strength in challenges, progress the ball up the pitch and ability to beat the on-rushing press is mesmerising. Up against one of the best combinations in Europe at Anfield, his attributes are critical to Amorim’s style of play with two deep-lying midfielders.
In unison, the duo offers a plethora of traits which were non-existent in midfield during the chaos-embroiled first half against Newcastle. On Sunday, the pair completed 10 ball recoveries, eight tackles, 57 passes and had 100% accuracy in completing long passes – a controlling midfield performance.
The synergy between the two is growing, and chemistry was never going to be evident from the off, but at just 19 and 23, Mainoo and Ugarte can be mainstays in the United midfield for the next decade and beyond.
The twosome will need Bruno Fernandes’ inspiring Anfield performance to be replicated. The Portuguese has offered moments of magic this year, but ultimately, his inconsistency has been notable this season.
His attitude, leadership and calmness on the ball going forward allowed Mainoo, and particularly Ugarte, to summon a more defensive role, contributing to their standout performances.
The reinvigorating aura radiating from this team following the positive draw away to Liverpool offers a catalyst to kickstart this season and a momentum-building opportunity for Ruben Amorim’s men, as discussed in the Theatre of Red podcast.
With Arsenal away next in the FA Cup, another encounter with pride on the line, the Manchester United faithful will hope the Uruguay and English doublet can lead their team to glory.
How do you feel about Mainoo and Ugarte as a midfield pairing for the foreseeable future?
Let us know in the comments or across our socials.
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