Manchester United are hoping they finally have the answer.
After years of midfield struggles and opposition teams running right through them in the centre of the pitch, Erik ten Hag's final hope hangs on the shoulders of a 6ft Uruguayan worth, apparently, £51million.
Casemiro has not worked. His Old Trafford nightmare reached its summit a little less than a fortnight ago when he was hauled off at half time against arch rivals Liverpool for 20-year-old Toby Collyer, having been at fault for the two goals scored up until that point.
Kobbie Mainoo's progress has been a welcome development that has saved United millions of pounds, but the gaps have remained as the teenager has chased the shadows that his five-time Champions League-winning partner has left behind.
Step forward Manuel Ugarte.
Manchester United are hoping that Manuel Ugarte will be able to solve their midfield problems
The midfielder joined the Red Devils for £51million from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day
He will be moved into United's starting midfield as a replacement for Casemiro (right)
It was more relief than excitement from United fans when Ugarte's move to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed. A bit of hope, too, that their midfield issues would finally be solved.
Red Devils fans know at this point that money doesn't equal success. Casemiro, costing £60m and picking up £375,000-a-week, proves that.
Ten Hag confirmed that the 23-year-old is available for the match, a change of tune since he expressed doubts over his new man's fitness at the start of the month.
'Manuel Ugarte we all have seen he played for Uruguay, he returned this afternoon, he was the only player who returned today, all the others returned yesterday, so he is available for this game,' he said.
Over the international break he played 79 minutes for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier draw with Paraguay. Four days after that, he would start and this time play the 90 minutes in the draw with Venezuela.
Maybe Ten Hag made a mistake and has now seen that his new signing is ready and raring to go. Mail Sport has reported that Ugarte is indeed in line to start. His Dutch boss doesn't seem the type to swallow his pride, mind.
He now faces the decision of whether to take Casemiro out of the side, undoubtedly knocking his already shredded confidence tenfold, or ease Ugarte in.
He might be able to get away with the latter this weekend away to Southampton. Their opponents, however, though new to the league, will have a lot of the ball. They always do. So Casemiro will need to be on his game off the ball if he does feature.
Erik ten Hag (pictured) had suggested that Ugarte was a while away from being fit to start
He played 80 minutes and 90 minutes respectively for Uruguay in the international break, however
Casemiro lags behind his new team-mate in the stats and was hauled off at half time against Liverpool last time out
When it comes to the stats since the start of last season, Ugarte is clear of the man he is set to replace. He has completed more passes per 90 minutes (56.4 to 51.9) at a higher suggess rate (91.5 per cent to 82.3 per cent), has more progressive carries per 90 (6.2 to 5.1), has won more tackles per 90 (4.6 to 3.8) and has won possession more times per 90 (8.4 to 6.0).
It's a clear upgrade if Ten Hag is willing to throw him in. His performance for Uruguay against Venezuela suggests it is already time, and, going off events at Old Trafford last Sunday, there may not be any other option.
In comparison to the man who will likely be his new partner, Mainoo, Ugarte completes significantly more passes per 90 (56.4 to 35.2), meaning he will have to be the one to carry the in-possession weight when it comes to United's pivot.
But he's also far ahead in terms of tackles per 90 (4.6 to 2.3), interceptions per 90 (1.9 to 1.4) and possession won per 90 (8.4 to 4.7).
Comparing him to Christian Eriksen, he is again superior when it comes to tackles, interceptions and possession won (1.4, 0.3, 6.9) and he's even ahead on the passing stats - 56.4 completed per 90 to 50.1 and 91.5 per cent accuracy to 84.0 per cent.
Mason Mount isn't even close competition. Ugarte has almost double the number of passes per 90 (56.4 to 28.9) and his defensive numbers are so far clear that it's not even worth the comparison.
Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes aside, is essentially already United's best midfielder - and he hasn't even kicked a ball yet.
| Ugarte | Casemiro | Mainoo | Eriksen | Mount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passes completed (per 90) | 56.4 | 51.9 | 35.2 | 50.1 | 28.9 |
| Passing accuracy | 91.5 | 82.3 | 87.1 | 84.0 | 85.0 |
| Progressive carries (per 90) | 6.2 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 3.9 |
| Tackles (per 90) | 4.6 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 3.6 |
| Interceptions (per 90) | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.9 |
| Possession won (per 90) | 8.4 | 6.0 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 5.7 |
Ugarte could make his debut against Southampton, though Ten Hag may be cautious about when he starts his new man
United fans have reason to be encouraged by reserved. They have seen it all before, with proof it can go wrong still there in front of their eyes, wearing a red No 18 shirt from week to week.
If he's smart, Ten Hag should make the change now and replace Casemiro with Ugarte against Southampton. He may take time to get up to speed in terms of what is asked of him, but United are now desperate.
Ugarte is not quite the destroyer United had hoped for but he is a man they needed. Gary Neville had said that his former side have gone from looking for a partner for Casemiro to a replacement. They may have found him.