Manuel Ugarte’s told Erik ten Hag what he wants to hear amid Man Utd ‘interest’

Erik ten Hag would love what Manuel Ugarte brings to Manchester United, judging by how the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder explains the passion he plays the game with.

Ugarte, 23, joined the French club from Sporting last summer after spending the previous two-and-a-half seasons in Portugal. He moved to Europe from South America as a teenager, months after debuting for the senior Uruguay side.

Before that transfer, Ugarte had spent his whole life in one of the continent’s smallest countries, Argentina and Brazil. Four-and-a-half years after first leaving, the player credits Uruguay’s national psyche and psychology with giving him an edge.

READ MORE: Ugarte to United transfer latest amid bid ‘rejected’, Chelsea move and PSG stance

READ MORE: Ugarte transfer incentive clear with Ten Hag already sent £60m message

“Historically, Uruguay has always been characterised by the garra charrua,” Ugarte explained during an interview with PSG TV in February. “It is the hunger and giving everything plus a little bit more, because Uruguay always had a lot of quality, but only with spirit, with soul, managed to achieve and win many things from that.”

Former Man United player Diego Forlan explained it in an interview with The Guardian a decade ago. “It’s like when you don’t have that last breath, but you always want to give more. Sometimes, in the last minute, against big teams, you never expect to have the chance to win, but there is that Garra that everyone talks about in Uruguay.”

Ugarte continues: “It was with the same passion that I still play today, because that is not lost. You play on any pitch with desire and spirit, which is what football is all about.

“That’s what football is all about, playing with passion—all of us who like football play anywhere, against anyone. We play with the same passion.”

Those are attributes Ten Hag acknowledged were lacking from the United team during their 1-1 draw with Brentford three months ago. “We should show more passion and desire in many moments in the game,” the United manager said. “There was spirit; there was fight, but not enough.”

It means Ugarte’s arrival could add exactly what Ten Hag wants to United’s midfield – if the club can get a deal over the line.