Ugarte's long slide

From a highly anticipated signing, Manuel Ugarte has become a disappointment, with poor statistics and an increasingly diminished standing at MU.

On March 21st, Manuel Ugarte's image at the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth clearly reflected his current position at Manchester United. There were no applause, no welcoming gestures; the Uruguayan midfielder walked through the crowd of fans in silence.

That image is a stark contrast to his Old Trafford debut in September 2024, when he was given a standing ovation and expected to be the missing piece in the midfield.

From heir to backup option

That belief was once well-founded. Ugarte was brought in from PSG for over £50 million, at a time when Manchester United needed a new defensive midfielder. He was seen as the successor to Casemiro, who was beginning to show signs of decline at the time. But after just over a season, the scenario took a completely different turn.

One of the turning points came from Casemiro's resurgence. After a period of being substituted early, the Brazilian midfielder gradually regained his form, improved his fitness, and returned to the starting lineup. Since then, he has completely secured a place in the Manchester United team.

Meanwhile, Ugarte has failed to capitalize on his opportunities. This season, he has only started 9 games, with only one ending in a victory for Manchester United. The team has also conceded 24 goals when he has been on the pitch, along with another 9 goals conceded after he came on as a substitute.

These statistics clearly reflect the inconsistency of the 24-year-old midfielder. In fact, in the eyes of some fans, Ugarte has become a name that evokes a sense of unease whenever he's brought onto the field.

Ugarte could soon be pushed out of MU.

Nevertheless, the player himself remained calm. Before joining the Uruguayan national team, he admitted that not getting regular playing time was something he had to accept in his career. Ugarte said he learned a lot and believed that opportunities would come.

But the reality at Manchester United is becoming increasingly harsh. Ugarte once said he was emulating Casemiro, but it was his senior teammate who solidified his position and pushed him further away from the starting lineup.

An uncertain future at Old Trafford

Not only did Ugarte lose his place in the squad, but he also drew attention for his off-field behavior. At Carrington, he was often one of the first to leave the training center, while many of his teammates stayed longer.

A minor injury sustained over a year ago caused Ugarte to miss the match against Tottenham, paving the way for Casemiro's return. Since then, the Brazilian midfielder has started 43 out of 55 Manchester United games, while Ugarte has only been used 23 times.

Manager Ruben Amorim experimented with midfield rotation during the pre-season. However, poor performances cost Ugarte his chances of competing for a place in the team. In his first start of the season against Grimsby Town, he only played 45 minutes before being substituted when his team was trailing 0-2.

From a highly anticipated signing, Ugarte gradually lost his place at Old Trafford.

Coach Michael Carrick still appreciates Ugarte's attitude and training spirit, but admits that competing for a place becomes difficult when the team is getting good results. In fact, since the end of February, the midfielder has consistently been on the bench.

Conversely, recent moves in the transfer market suggest Manchester United may be preparing a replacement. The club's plans to add another midfielder this summer have cast uncertainty over Ugarte's future.

The former PSG star had hoped Amorim's arrival would help him revive his career, but even his former coach at Sporting Liston admitted his pupil was struggling.

From a highly anticipated signing, Ugarte gradually lost his place at Old Trafford. As confidence from the team waned and opportunities to play became increasingly scarce, the question was no longer when he would return to the starting lineup, but whether he had a chance of remaining at Manchester United.

Highlights Bournemouth 2-2 MU: In the early hours of March 21st, Manchester United lost their advantage in the final minutes and had to settle for a draw with Bournemouth in the 31st round of the Premier League.

Source: https://znews.vn/cu-truot-dai-cua-ugarte-post1638030.html