Erik ten Hag likely to debut Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte for Man United
London, Sep 13: As Premier League action returns, several clubs face pivotal moments in their early season campaigns, with new signings set to debut and crucial fixtures that could define their momentum.
At Manchester United, Erik ten Hag is expected to hand Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte his debut against Southampton at St Mary’s. This comes after Casemiro’s disastrous showing in United’s heavy defeat to Liverpool, where his off-the-pace performance forced Ten Hag to substitute him at half-time.
The Brazilian midfielder’s struggles saw Toby Collyer, an inexperienced option, paired with Kobbie Mainoo in an attempt to restore calmness. Ugarte, who moved from PSG on deadline day, gained some match fitness with Uruguay, playing a full 90 minutes against Venezuela. Although his recent international outings could leave him fatigued, Ten Hag is counting on the 23-year-old to bolster United’s midfield.
At Ipswich Town, Liam Delap looks set for a big role after his impressive start at Portman Road.
Delap, a Manchester City academy graduate, spent the previous season on loan at Stoke and Preston, gaining valuable experience but struggling to hit consistent form. However, his move to Ipswich has seen him become a dangerous No. 9, with three goals in his first few appearances. Ipswich, newly promoted to the top flight, see Delap as a key player in their quest to cement their place among the Premier League elite, with manager Kieran McKenna hoping Delap can sustain his early momentum.
At Crystal Palace, manager Oliver Glasner faces a selection dilemma after bringing in defensive reinforcements on deadline day. Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah, and Eddie Nketiah could all make their debuts, while Marc Guéhi is expected to anchor the Palace defence. Lacroix, who worked under Glasner at Wolfsburg, is set to play a key role in the back three, while Chalobah’s versatility adds another layer to Palace’s options. Nketiah, known for his clinical finishing, may partner Jean-Philippe Mateta in attack as Palace seek their first win of the season against Leicester City.Meanwhile, West Hammanager Julen Lopetegui is under pressure to refine his tactics after a mixed start to the season. While defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City were not unexpected, West Ham’s overall approach remains unclear. New striker Niclas Füllkrug, a £27m signing from Borussia Dortmund, has yet to start a match, and the team’s goal-scoring woes are evident. With just four goals from their first three matches, Lopetegui is expected to give Füllkrug a chance to replace the underperforming Michail Antonio, assuming the striker recovers from an international injury.
At Nottingham Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White continues to shine after becoming the club’s first England international since 1997. The attacking midfielder will face Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch in what promises to be a fascinating midfield battle. Gravenberch, who has been deployed in a deeper role by Arne Slot, is adept at retaining possession but lacks a natural defensive instinct. Gibbs-White’s energy and work ethic could be crucial in disrupting Liverpool’s rhythm as Forest look to extend their unbeaten run.
Elsewhere, Manchester City continue their relentless form, having already notched nine goals in their first three matches, conceding only two. Erling Haaland, with seven goals to his name, looks even sharper than last season, leaving Brentfordwith a daunting task. The last time Brentford visited the Etihad in November 2022, they pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory, but with Ivan Toney no longer at the club, manager Thomas Frank will need to devise a new strategy to contain City.
With new faces and tactical adjustments set to take centre stage, this weekend’s fixtures promise to be pivotal in shaping the early trajectory of the Premier League season. (Agencies)