Be careful’ – Ruud van Nistelrooy sends message to other EPL clubs concerning a special player signed by Eric ten Hag

‘Be careful’ – Ruud van Nistelrooy sends message to other EPL clubs concerning a special player signed by Eric ten Hag

 

According to GiveMeSport, in his role as interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy is throwing his support behind Manuel Ugarte, one of Erik ten Hag’s more scrutinized summer signings. The 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder, who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, has faced criticism after a challenging start to his Premier League career.

 

 

Ahead of United’s crucial clash against Chelsea, Van Nistelrooy defended Ugarte’s abilities and urged fans and pundits to exercise patience. “You should be careful with early conclusions on Manuel Ugarte,” Van Nistelrooy stated. “He’s a great signing. Manu is a very good player with specific qualities in midfield, particularly his ability to recover balls and facilitate our attacking play.”

 

Ugarte has shown glimpses of his potential but has yet to make a significant impact at Old Trafford, having registered no goals or assists in eight appearances so far. He has participated in only two Premier League wins, both times coming off the bench, and is still searching for his first European victory with the club. Despite this slow start, Van Nistelrooy believes Ugarte’s talent will emerge as he adjusts to the rigors of the Premier League.

 

Van Nistelrooy’s optimism comes amidst general skepticism regarding Ten Hag’s other summer signings, including Antony and Mason Mount, both of whom have struggled to make their mark. Prominent YouTuber Mark Goldbridge recently criticized Ugarte’s lack of playing time, tweeting, “Zero minutes for Ugarte again. Baffling signing. Bottom half of the table, 4 losses already, and we apparently have the luxury of not using our biggest summer signing. Weird.”

 

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared his thoughts on the club’s long-standing struggle at Old Trafford. Since 2013, Chelsea has failed to secure a victory on Manchester United’s turf. This Sunday, they will face the Red Devils again, hoping to break that frustrating streak.

 

 

According to a post shared by Absolute Chelsea via X, Maresca responded with surprise when asked about Chelsea’s winless run at Old Trafford during his pre-match conference. “Really? Wow,” he said. He acknowledged how challenging it has been for teams to win at United’s stadium, a venue known for its electric atmosphere and passionate home crowd. “Hopefully it’s a good time [to play them],” Maresca added, suggesting that his squad is prepared to give their best effort to turn the tide.

 

 

Old Trafford has not been kind to Chelsea in recent years. The Blues’ last victory there came over a decade ago, a period during which Manchester United consistently defended their home ground. This trend has added pressure on Chelsea, but Maresca remains optimistic. He sees this as an opportunity to prove Chelsea’s growth and resilience.

 

 

Manchester United, although facing their own challenges this season, have a strong record against Chelsea at home. The Blues will need to overcome both history and the current form of their opponents to secure a win. Fans are eager to see if Maresca’s leadership can guide Chelsea to finally break United’s stronghold.

 

 

With both teams having much to prove, Sunday’s game is set to be a thrilling encounter. Maresca and his squad are focused on ending the Old Trafford curse, with hopes of bringing joy to the Chelsea faithful.

 

According to Daily Post, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was visibly upset after Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez escaped a red card for his tackle on Cole Palmer during their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

 

The controversial incident occurred late in the match when Martinez caught Palmer with a reckless challenge, prompting strong reactions from the Chelsea bench and players.

 

Despite the severity of the tackle, the referee issued only a yellow card to the United defender in injury time, much to Maresca’s dismay.

 

In his post-match comments, Maresca expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating, emphasizing the potential consequences of the tackle on Palmer’s well-being. “He (Palmer) was there in the changing room with ice. We are waiting now. Hopefully, it is nothing important and then I know you are going to ask me about the referee’s decision,” he stated. He further elaborated, “They showed me before the press conference, I think it is quite clear almost for all of us but the referees there did not take the decision and they made a different decision.” Maresca’s frustration highlighted the growing concerns regarding officiating standards in the Premier League, especially in high-stakes matches like this one.

 

The match itself was intense, with both teams having their share of chances. Chelsea took the lead early in the second half through a well-worked goal, but United equalized shortly after, showcasing the competitive nature of the encounter. Following the game, Maresca not only focused on the referee’s decision but also reflected on his team’s performance. He praised his players for their resilience and commitment, despite the frustration over the officiating.

 

Palmer’s injury, resulting from the challenge, became a focal point in Maresca’s post-match analysis. The Chelsea manager revealed that the young forward had been receiving treatment and expressed hope that the injury would not be serious. “We are waiting now,” he said, indicating the team’s concern for Palmer’s condition.