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Dutch football legend Marco van Basten has dubbed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag “idiotic” for sanctioning the signing of Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte struggled again over the weekend as United slipped to a shocking 0-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
He started as his side’s deepest-lying midfielder in a trio also consisting of Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. It was his first Premier League start since arriving at Old Trafford from reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Ugarte was brought in during the summer in an effort to address United’s woes in the middle of the park but so far, the Uruguayan has fallen wide of the mark.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport (via Tribal Football), Van Basten suggested that Ugarte was simply walking around during the defeat to Spurs and did nothing of importance.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner further highlighted the signing of Ugarte as another instance of poor investment by Ten Hag.
Van Basten said, “I saw a new player walking around Manchester United, Ugarte, for 50 million euros.”
“How does this guy get around there? It is idiotic how much (Ten Hag) has decided to invest in players who are not even good.”
The Dutch great added, “Name a top player in Manchester United? In every club you see a top player.”
“(Marcus) Rashford is very bad. Bruno Fernandes is a good player, (André) Onana is a good goalkeeper. That’s all. Casemiro is done.”
“(Alejandro) Garnacho is a decent player. But no one carries that team.”
As pressure mounts on Ten Hag, the Dutch coach will get the chance to silence some of his critics when United meet Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Europa League match is certainly one that United can’t afford to lose.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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