Erik ten Hag is going to have to break his golden Man United rule for a second time this season

Manchester United's start to this season has felt very similar to 2022/23.

They have lost two of their opening three Premier League matches; they have been beaten by Brighton & Hove Albion; they have already faced Liverpool at Old Trafford; and they have locked horns with a team from west London.

The pattern of the results has been different but one element has been identical: a defensive-minded midfielder was unveiled ahead of a clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

After Casemiro was introduced to the crowd ahead of the 2-1 win over the Merseysiders in August 2022, it was Manuel Ugarte's turn on Sunday. United's supporters were soon left wishing he had been allowed to stay on the pitch.

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As dreadful as United's collective performance was against Arne Slot's team, it was Casemiro's two errors in the build up to Luis Diaz's first half double that dominated the post-match headlines. His fall from grace has been sad to witness, but it is obvious his best days are now behind him.

Finding the perfect foil for Kobbie Mainoo was United's biggest objective in the summer transfer window. The gaping holes in their midfield, on show again on Sunday, desperately needed filling and Ugarte is the man tasked with doing so.

Nine years Casemiro's junior, the Uruguayan who joined United from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, should have the energy to cover the spaces better than the Brazilian has done over the past 12 months. He is a defensive specialist that will hopefully provide United's back line with the protection it desperately needs.

Ugarte could make