Manchester United saved their most important signing until last in the summer. That was how it felt at the time, anyway. Following several weeks of negotiations and talks with Paris Saint-Germain, United wrapped up the signing of Manuel Ugarte on deadline day.
He joined the club in a deal initially worth £42.3million, signing a five-year contract. Throughout last season, United's need for fresh blood in midfield became more and more obvious.
Casemiro experienced a staggering decline and finding a long-term successor was a transfer mission the club simply could not afford to fail. READ MORE: United 25-man training squad vs Fenerbahce revealed as Harry Amass among seven youngsters involved READ MORE: Erik ten Hag has been given the green light to audition United player for a new role A flurry of names were linked with the possibility of filling that void at Old Trafford throughout the summer, but Ugarte was the player United identified as the ideal fit.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth described the Uruguayan as being 'among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world'.