When Ugarte does more harm than good

Manuel Ugarte joined MU with the hope of bringing fighting power and mobility to the midfield. He came from PSG, was known as the “South American sweeper”, and received a salary of 120,000 pounds a week. But after more than a year, that number only reminds of disappointment.

Ugarte is disappointing

The 2-2 draw with Tottenham in round 11 of the Premier League on November 8 was the clearest proof. Ugarte entered the field in the 63rd minute, when MU led 1-0. Just 12 minutes later, Spurs equalized. Seven minutes later, they went up 2-1. The team had to rely on De Ligt's injury-time header to regain 1 point.

Ugarte was directly at fault for both goals. He was passed by Odobert for the equaliser, then was out of position, allowing Richarlison to be offside for the winner. A player brought in to keep the game in check, but causing chaos in the defence.

Ugarte is expected to help the team maintain rhythm, control the ball and lock down the midfield. But every time he comes on, United becomes fragile. The statistics don't lie. The team has not won a Premier League game with Ugarte on the pitch, according to Football365 . United's goal difference with him on the pitch is -6. In 285 minutes with Ugarte, the team conceded 9 goals.

Casemiro is at a higher level than Ugarte.

Meanwhile, with Casemiro, MU only conceded 5 goals in 543 minutes. In the same period, the team scored 12 goals, while with Ugarte, only 3. Those cold numbers show the clear difference between the new man and the old man.

Coach Ruben Amorim likes to rotate. He makes early substitutions, often substitutions, and even substitutions when not needed. This habit often causes the team to lose control at the end of the match. Taking Casemiro off in the second half has become a “tactical habit”, although the consequences are always the same: MU loses rhythm, loses the ball, loses points.

Ugarte was brought in as a “safety measure”, but the result was the opposite. He was a “super sub” for… the opponent. Fulham equalized just 4 minutes after he came on. Against Liverpool, he was brought in when MU was leading 1-0, and the match ended 2-1 - MU won. Against Chelsea, he came in the second half when MU was leading 2-0, and the score was reduced to 2-1. In the League Cup, he started against Grimsby and was substituted at half-time, when the team was leading 0-2.

Every time Casemiro leaves the pitch, the United midfield collapses. The difference between him and Ugarte is not age or speed, but defensive instinct. Casemiro reads the situation early, knows how to position himself and strike at the right time. Ugarte is the opposite: he rushes in instinctively, lacks composure, and often commits unnecessary fouls.

Confusing with Amorim

The way Amorim used him made things worse. Ugarte needed time to adjust, needed specific training, not just thrown in when the team needed to save the score. Each time he did so, he did not save the team, he only made it easier for the opponent.

The numbers also say it all about Casemiro and Ugarte:

9 goals conceded in 285 minutes with Ugarte.
5 goals conceded in 543 minutes with Casemiro.
MU have not won a match with Ugarte on the field.
Points difference per 90 minutes with him: 1.89.

These statistics show that Ugarte is not only not integrating, but is also weakening the collective.

How will Amorim deal with Ugarte?

Ruben Amorim has a clear decision to make. If Casemiro can’t play 90 minutes, he needs to try the Bruno Fernandes-Kobbie Mainoo pairing, rather than continuing to blindly trust Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder is not bad mentally, but he doesn’t fit the way United are playing.

A big team cannot be patient with a player who is costing them points. Amorim must understand that sometimes courage is not in making a substitution, but in not making one.

Casemiro may not be at his peak anymore, but he is still the soul of the midfield. Ugarte has nothing to prove, other than showing the difference between a true champion and a player struggling to find his place.

If Amorim doesn't stop soon, his substitution decisions will continue to cost MU, in points, and in confidence.

Source: https://znews.vn/khi-ugarte-hai-nhieu-hon-giup-post1601211.html