Manchester United’s soon-to-be new midfielder Manuel Ugarte is a young Javier Mascherano, according to talkSPORT’s Tim Vickery.
The Uruguayan defensive midfielder is set to join Man United after the Red Devils agreed a £42.29million fee with Paris Saint-Germain, with the potential for £8.46m more in additional payments.
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His arrival all depends on academy product Scott McTominay completing his move to Napoli – a decision that hasn’t gone down well with club legend Rio Ferdinand.
But despite this all being up in the air, talkSPORT’s South American football expert believes the Red Devils have already won the game of poker with PSG.
Asked if he thinks Ugarte will be a good fit for Man United, Vickery said: “I do, yeah. Especially after watching United [against Fulham].
“They were so open again to the Fulham counter-attack, they were lucky not to concede to that Fulham counter-attack. That’s the hole he’ll be expected to plug.
“A defensive midfielder screening the midfield. Also getting moves going with crisp passes.”
“He does remind me a lot of Javier Mascherano,” Vickery continued, bringing up the former Liverpool and West Ham star.
“I think this is a good fit.
“This whole transfer window has been a game of poker between United and Paris Saint-Germain.
“But it would seem to be moving in the direction of Ugarte going to United and trying to plug that hole.”
Mascherano, now retired and managing Argentina’s Under-20 side, is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation.
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He won the Champions League twice, as well as 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 then with Liverpool between 2007 to 2010.
Ugarte, who is 23 years old, meanwhile has made 37 appearances for PSG.
He won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions with the French giants after signing from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
Ugarte joined for £51.4m, with PSG beating Chelsea to his signature.
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