Manchester United will hope to strengthen in midfield this summer, although Manuel Ugarte will also be expected to improve his performances.
After arriving from PSG for £42m, the Uruguayan has not quite lived up to his price tag so far.
Manuel Ugarte arrived with much scepticism amongst the fanbase due to his limited skillset, and the fact PSG replaced him with the one that got away, Joao Neves.
Despite being decent at times, Ugarte was United’s worst-rated 2024-25 signing, as he had some big highs but more lows.
Ugarte’s first season ended with him being dropped by Ruben Amorim for the final few games, including the Europa League final.
After a disastrous conclusion, Ugarte bounced back on tour in Asia, and he will be desperate to improve for the 2025-26 season.
Now, Ugarte has admitted he is trying to learn things from one teammate.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte celebrate together during Europa League.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Manuel Ugarte praises Casemiro
Ugarte has a lot more to give at United, and if he can improve in a few areas, there is no reason he cannot nail down the starting spot next season in a midfield which United will hope to bolster.
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Now, speaking to the United We Stand magazine, Ugarte has explained his relationship with his competition for minutes, Casemiro, with the Uruguayan admitting he is trying to learn from his teammate.
“I talk a lot with Casemiro and try to copy what he has, who he is, and what he won. We have a very good relationship and get along, though we’re obviously different.
“So I try to get the positive things he has to incorporate them into my game, but some things are his, like his intuition, you can’t copy those things.”
Ugarte and Casemiro were the midfield pairing that was key in reaching the Europa League final; however, there is really no assurance that the Brazilian will remain beyond this summer.
In order to win himself a place long term, Ugarte needs to improve on the ball with his consistency in passing and evading opponents’ pressure. Otherwise, Amorim will want a replacement or even to promote Sekou Kone, who has impressed recently.
Ugarte reveals who he is closest with in the Manchester United squad
In the same interview, Ugarte was asked who he is closest with at United, in which Casemiro was named.
“We all get along well, but I think I’m closest to Lisandro because he’s Argentinian. We share a lot.
“With the Portuguese, I have a good relationship with Bruno and Diogo because I lived in Portugal for many years, so we share a lot of things.
“With Case, he’s Brazilian, he’s South American. With Garna, I talk a lot with him. And with the English, I get along well with Mason. Mason is a good friend of mine.”
Based on this, it seems likely that Ugarte will also be close with the new arrival Matheus Cunha, who United signed this week from Wolves.