Manchester United’s newest signing, Manuel Ugarte, has sent a strong message to manager Erik ten Hag with his impressive performance for Uruguay during the international break.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined the Red Devils in the final week of the summer transfer window, display his readiness to slot straight into the starting XI.
Ugarte’s all-action against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier demonstrated his ability to shield the backline, intercept counter-attacks, and cope with intense pressing.
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His 79-minute stint on the pitch was a testament to his match fitness, contradicting concerns about his limited pre-season.
With United’s midfield woes exposed in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, Ugarte’s arrival couldn’t be more timely.
Ten Hag said:
‘If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season.’
‘Not one match minute. So he needs to build his fitness and then we have to build him in the team and I’m sure he’ll be an important player.
‘But that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.’
His performance has added pressure on ten Hag to consider him for the starting lineup against Southampton on September 14.
‘I’m very happy, very hungry and very excited,’ Ugarte said.
‘I feel very good, I have prepared myself. The truth is that I haven’t played many minutes since the season began, but physically I feel very good.’
With another opportunity to impress against Venezuela on Tuesday, Ugarte is poised to further solidify his case for a starting spot.
