Man Utd Transfer News: Sander Berge vs Manuel Ugarte - what do the stats say?
When the transfer window opened, Manchester United were linked with a number of central midfielders as they sought to build upon their FA Cup success back in May. Joao Neves was believed to be their number one target, while Joao Gomes was another reported to be on their radar. During the Euros and Copa America, however, Manuel Ugarte emerged as the frontrunner in United's push to bolster in a key area of the pitch.
Despite only leaving Sporting CP for PSG last summer, the French side are prepared to sell the Uruguayan ball-winning machine, providing they recoup most, if not all, of the fee they paid the Portuguese powerhouse to land Ugarte 12 months ago, this despite spening big to sign previous United target Neves.
With a supposed €60m asking price set, however, United have changed tact in their bid to strengthen. The Premier League side have a number of targets in their sights as they look to add a new midfielder, including Youssouf Fofana, Martin Zubimendi and the possibility of making Sofyan Amrabat's loan move permanent as Ugarte alternatives.
However, one name, quite literally, stands head and shoulders above the rest: Sander Berge. While he was part of a Burnley side that dropped into the Championship last season, Berge has his admirers in the Premier League. Arsenal and Liverpool have previously been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, and United are now rumoured suitors as they seek to add a midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo.
To some, Ugarte may be seen as the perfect partner for the England international given his willingness to get stuck in to shield a backline that conceded 17.6 shots per game in the Premier League last season. The Uruguayan made more tackles per 90 (4.6) than any other player in the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign. On paper, he's a good fit. However, Ugarte was also dribbled past 2.1 times per 90 in France's top tier, returning a tackle success rate of 68.1% in the process.
By comparison, Berge may have made fewer tackles per 90 (2.3) but was dribbled past far fewer times too (0.7) returning the superior tackle success rate (76%) in the process. Even playing for a Burnley side that returned a possession average of just 46.9%, Berge still returned a pass success rate of 88.8% from 46.3 passes per 90. Both returns may have been lower than Ugarte - 91.5% and 61.6, respectively - but that is to be expected considering he played for a PSG outfit that dominated the ball (65.7%) in Ligue 1.
The criticism of Ugarte, though, is that he is too safe in possession, and this would impact United when they do win the ball in a key area of the pitch. For a United side that finished the campaign having attempted the seventh most shots from counter attacks (31), they need a player who can not only impress out of possession, but get the ball upfield quickly too. This is where Berge again outshines Ugarte.
A higher proportion of the Norway international's passes in the Premier League last season went forward (22.6%) compared to the PSG star (14.6%), with Berge prepared to take more risks to set his side on the frontfoot. Having also conceded fewer fouls and won more aerial duels per 90, it's understandable that the Burnley man has become a viable target for United, and one already experienced with the rigours of Premier League football.
Berge perhaps wasn't high on supporters' wishlist when the transfer window opened, and he isn't a glamourous name that some crave, yet he impressed both on and off the ball for Burnley and was a standout in a fairly miserable domestic campaign for the Clarets. Links with Berge shouldn't be frowned upon yet rather welcomed with open arms. After all, he ticks the key boxes to fill the midfield void for this United side.
