Manchester United ‘Must Improve’ Says Midfielder Ugarte
1. Ugarte’s Candid Call for Improvement
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who joined from PSG in August 2024, didn’t shy away from being blunt about the club’s situation ahead of the new campaign. Speaking to the media, the Uruguayan said: “We have to improve things.” Despite the club’s undistinguished 15th‑place finish last season—its worst ever in the Premier League—Ugarte expressed faith in manager Rúben Amorim, saying the team is “very motivated… we believe in the coach, we believe in what he wants.”
While acknowledging last season’s turbulence—managerial shifts, tactical resets, and on-field inconsistency—he stressed unity and the need for stronger performances moving forward. Ugarte, who previously worked with Amorim at Sporting CP, highlighted that establishing responsibility, cohesion, and league familiarity will be critical to United’s resurgence.
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2. Early Season: Ugarte’s Integration & Patience Required
Under former manager Erik ten Hag, integration of Ugarte was slow. Ten Hag emphasized that they had to be patient, remarking: *“If the quality in that position is not right, it’s very difficult for a team to control games… that position needs one who brings quality all the time.”*
Ugarte made his debut late and initially came off the bench. Gradually, he featured more regularly until Amorim took over, weaving him into the midfield alongside young Kobbie Mainoo.
In an interview earlier this year, Ugarte reflected on his role: “On a personal level I feel good, confident and I am playing… we have to keep working.” Despite collective struggles, he emphasized personal development and adaptation to English football’s intense environment.
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3. Playing Style: Defensive Powerhouse or Limited Possession Player?
Ugarte has earned a reputation for being one of the most prolific tacklers and ball-winners in Europe. He averaged roughly 4.6 tackles per 90 minutes and over 8 ball recoveries per game in Ligue 1—the kind of numbers that draw automatic comparisons to N’Golo Kanté.
Reddit fans have lauded his Premier League adaptation:
> “First 2 Games: ‘You donkey!’ … Game 3 onwards: ‘We bow down to the king’ … He’s absolutely relentless.”
> “Super press resistant… obvious upgrade on Casemiro.”
However, critics have raised valid concerns over his limitations in possession. He’s described as hesitant under pressure, limited in long-passing, and lacking positional awareness in build-up play.
Ugarte himself rejects the caricature of being one-dimensional: *“I feel that I’m decent at winning the ball back but can also be very good in possession too… Of course, there are things I can improve upon.”*
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4. Performance under Amorim: Responsibility and Intensity
Since Amorim’s arrival, Ugarte’s role has deepened. After lining up alongside Kobbie Mainoo in United’s 2‑1 win over West Ham, he revealed the manager’s simple yet direct instructions: recover the ball quickly, bring intensity, and communicate. He admitted mid-pitch coordination is part of his job now.
These tactical priorities reflect Amorim’s training philosophy, which Ugarte praised for being demanding yet effective players’ fitness and awareness.
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5. Impressions & Season Highlights
Consistency in Defense: Ugarte helped solidify midfield defensively, including a clean sheet against Leicester in a 3‑0 win that boosted confidence. He identified improved team cohesion and defensive solidity under Amorim.
Player Development: Acting as a bridge between older figures like Casemiro and youth like Mainoo, Ugarte is seen as a central figure in building continuity. He recently said he tries to learn key traits from Casemiro, particularly his game intuition and winning mentality.
Physical Demands: Most pundits agree that Amorim’s approach pushes players physically. The combination of Ugarte’s engine with tactical discipline has been critical—but also taxing, requiring high recovery and stamina. Ugarte’s withdrawal in some late-season fixtures suggested fatigue, especially under intense schedules.
Momentum in Europe: United’s Europa League success offered glimpses of cohesion. Ugarte expressed excitement about progressing to the semi-final and viewed the competition as a potential route back into Champions League football. He emphasized that titles define United’s history, making every match vital.
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6. Why Ugarte Matters—and Must Improve
Despite flashes of grit, Ugarte is not immune to criticism. Former pundit Marco van Basten called his transfer “idiotic” following errors in early United fixtures, citing performance concerns. Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit also questioned the overall squad quality, pointing out that Ugarte hasn’t been a standout amid persistent inconsistency.
Moreover, a recent Guardian opinion piece argued that United’s priority should be signing a dominant, dynamic midfielder, implying Ugarte alone may not lift the team into genuine competition. The club’s inability to control games stems from midfield deficiencies that go beyond one player.
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7. The Road Ahead: Ugarte’s Task for the New Season
Ugarte himself has repeatedly called for improvement. He understands that belief in the coach and team structure are not enough—consistent performances are mandatory.
Key areas to monitor:
Passing under pressure: Still an area critics target; improvement here would unlock his all-round value.
Match fitness management: Balancing intensity with rest is crucial given Amorim’s demanding style.
Communication as midfield pivot: As Ugarte steps into organizing duties, on-pitch leadership must translate into consistent team rhythm.
United fans will expect results—not just effort. For Ugarte, delivering performances that blend grit, tactical awareness, and technical quality will determine both his growth and United’s trajectory into the 2025–26 season.
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8. Conclusion: Improvement, Not Lip Service
With Ugarte urging change “game-by-game”, United’s midfield pivot knows the talk is only as good as the output. United’s worst finishing position in decades demands more than statements—it demands tangible progress.
Ugarte believes in the coach and is motivated—but also realises that responsibility and adaptation are his burden to bear. If he can raise his consistency in possession, match intensity with awareness, and drive continuity alongside Amorim’s evolving system, United will not just improve—they may rebuild.
But only if that improvement is real.
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