Manuel Ugarte may have lost his place last season — but the Manchester United midfielder is now ready to become a key man under Ruben Amorim.
Signed for over £50 million from PSG, Ugarte struggled to adapt to life at Old Trafford after arriving late in last summer’s window. He was left out of the Europa League final by former manager Erik ten Hag and ended the campaign as a backup to Casemiro.
Now, with Amorim at the helm — a coach who previously worked with Ugarte at Sporting — the Uruguayan is finally expected to thrive.
Why Ugarte’s First Season Didn’t Click
Ugarte arrived as a deadline-day buy from Paris Saint-Germain but wasn’t Ten Hag’s preferred option. He started brightly but faded during the second half of the season, with Casemiro preferred in high-stakes matches.
Behind the scenes, there were signs that settling in off the pitch also played a role.
“New team, new country, it’s not always easy,” Amorim added. “If the team’s not performing well, individuals suffer too.”
Speaking after United’s 2–1 win over West Ham in New Jersey, Amorim gave a clear signal of support for the 24-year-old midfielder.
“He’s more adapted now. You don’t just look at the pitch — off the pitch, you can have problems,” said Amorim. “He needs more confidence, and that’s also my job.” — Rúben Amorim
Amorim's Plans for Ugarte in 2025/26
With Casemiro in the final year of his contract and Kobbie Mainoo developing into a box-to-box presence, Ugarte is in line to anchor United’s midfield long term.
His tactical discipline and tackling numbers have impressed Amorim, who sees him as central to how United want to control games in and out of possession.
Stats: Ugarte vs Casemiro – 2024/25 Premier League
| Stat (2024/25) | Manuel Ugarte | Casemiro |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 27 | 32 |
| Starts | 19 | 25 |
| Pass Completion % | 86.2% | 82.4% |
| Tackles Won | 61 | 48 |
| Yellow Cards | 6 | 9 |
Højlund Earning Praise Up Top
With Joshua Zirkzee not yet fit, Amorim also praised striker Rasmus Højlund’s performance against West Ham. The Danish forward hit the post and linked up well with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
“He did a great job — his movement, his fight, his link-up play. It was what I want to see,” Amorim said.
Analyst Verdict
Manuel Ugarte may not have justified his price tag last season, but the underlying data suggests the foundations are there. His tackling success rate, press resistance, and pass completion all show clear value as a midfield anchor — especially in a Ruben Amorim system that thrives on ball recovery and structure.
The issue in 2024/25 wasn’t technical quality, but confidence and consistency. With Amorim’s trust and tactical familiarity now behind him, Ugarte is finally in an environment built for his skill set.
If he stays fit and gets a run of starts, Ugarte has the potential to become United’s midfield enforcer — and a natural successor to Casemiro.
Key points
- Ugarte was left out of big matches last season but is now backed to start regularly.
- Amorim highlights off-field adaptation struggles and sees this season as a fresh slate.
- Casemiro’s contract ends in 2026 — United are planning for Ugarte to be the long-term DM.
- Højlund continues to impress as the only fit striker heading into the season opener.
What’s Next for Ugarte?
Manchester United’s Premier League opener is less than two weeks away, and Ugarte is expected to start as Amorim’s midfield anchor. After a stop-start first year, this could be the breakout campaign he needs to justify his price tag.
Can Manuel Ugarte finally live up to expectations at Old Trafford?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 27 Jul 2025 08:47
Horrible season, but that United in general was horrible so nothing to blame on him. He'll get there, he was good at PSG and at Sporting. He'll get back to those levels.
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