Erik ten Hag's intriguing verdict on £42m summer transfer signing

Erik ten Hag has praised the recent form of £42m summer signing Manuel Ugarte but admits he is still learning the role within his Manchester United side.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfield ace arrived at Old Trafford this summer and he caught the eye in the Thursday night Europa League draw with Fenerbahce.

Asked what Ugarte can bring to the team if he consistently produced that level of performance in the Premier League, Ten Hag said: “For sure, the six position is a key position in your team, and he has to learn this position in our game model. I think today is a step forward, so really pleased with his performance, and from here on he has to build on.”

He added: “You have to integrate them. He came late in the window and then we had to integrate him during the competitions, and that takes time.

“We have to stay patient but, as you see, if the quality in that position is not right it's very difficult for a team to control games, and then I don't even speak about dominating games. So, that position needs one who brings the quality all the time, and we have to integrate him now in this team.

“As I said, I'm pleased with his performance today and from here on he can build up.”

But has that been a position United have been found to be lacking in, in recent years? Not according to Ten Hag. He added: “Nah, we have Casemiro. He's doing lately also, again, very good. We have people there who can fill in that role. We have Kobbie and I think Christian Eriksen is doing brilliant in this moment.”

United travel to West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon (KO 2pm).