Manchester United are set to seal the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Fabrizio Romano claimed that Ugarte landed in Manchester on Tuesday night and is undergoing his medical to join United.
The Uruguayan international is set to sign for Erik ten Hag’s side for an initial €50 million fee (£42 million) followed by €10 million (£8.4 million) in potential add-ons in a deal that will soon be confirmed.
The 23-year-old will likely provide Casemiro competition for a place at the base of midfield for Manchester United.
United will be hoping that Ugarte pans out to be a transformative signing in the holding midfield role — as Rodri has been since signing for Manchester City in 2019.
Jamie O’Hara feels Rodri is the best number six in the world — indicating how well he has mastered the position.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Ferdinand reveals that Ugarte cannot do one thing Rodri can
The £220,000-a-week man is yet to play a single minute of football for City this season.
Yet, Eddie Howe believes Rodri is the best player in the Premier League currently.
Ilkay Gundogan also described Rodri as “irreplaceable” to this Manchester City side due to his quality and character.
The Spanish international turned 28 in June, which goes to show how long he still has left at the elite level.
When discussing the attributes Ugarte could bring to Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand revealed that there is one facet of the game that he cannot do in the same vein as Rodri.
On Rio Ferdinand Presents’ YouTube channel, the pundit said: “He’s not someone who’s going to be getting the ball like a [Sergio] Busquets, I think or Rodri and dictating the play with intricate passing and passing through the lines and stuff like that.”
Ferdinand added: “I think he’s a simple passer of the ball with both feet, keeps it simple, keeps it ticking, always available, always showing. Don’t expect him to be hitting 30, 40 yard passes and things like that or breaking the lines. I think he’s an economic type of footballer.”
“But he’s an old-school, proper number six. Defensive, sit there, shore things up, a type of number that’s sitting in front of me as a centre-back, you’ll be happy to have in front of you to protect.”
Rodri is a much better passer than Ugarte
Especially as a passer, Rodri is in a different league to Ugarte.
As per FbRef, the Manchester United-bound midfielder made 3.77 progressive passes, received 0.96 progressive passes and attempted 59.31 passes per game during the past 365 days.
Rodri, on the opposite end of the spectrum made 12.98 progressive passes, received 1.82 progressive passes and attempted 113.24 passes during the same period, according to FbRef.
Ugarte, as Rio Ferdinand claimed is an orthodox defensive midfielder — known for being proficient at winning back the ball and being a top-class defender.
Rodri, however, is as complete as they come in his position and on the ball, he is arguably the best in the world.
There is a stark difference in terms of both players’ profiles.
