Manchester United’s latest defeat in the Premier League has left Rio Ferdinand scratching his head, as he believes a 44-year-old can do something that Manuel Ugarte cannot.
Ugarte has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since joining the 20-time champions in August 2024 for £43million, and the frustration around him is growing.
The central midfielder struggled to get a grip of the game against Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot with a comfortable 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.
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Ferdinand was left frustrated as he watched the game unfold, believing that one of his former teammates could do a more effective job.
Manuel Ugarte playing in midfield for Manchester United against Tottenham
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand believes Michael Carrick recycles the ball better than Manuel Ugarte
Ferdinand was one of several Manchester United legends frustrated with the derby day performance, and after spending time with some of his former teammates, he believes they can offer more than the current squad.
Ferdinand recently participated in an icons game with Michael Carrick, and he praised his ability to recycle the ball on Rio Ferdinand Presents, which Ugarte struggled with.
Ugarte played in the number six role against Manchester City. The expectation was for him to receive the ball in tight areas and recycle it to get his team moving up the pitch, which didn’t happen.
“We played in the icons game, right? And that’s what I felt with Carrick. I get the ball at the back, I get pressed by a forward, and Carrick just appears out of nowhere, behind the curtain, and he’s like my release button.
“Boom, I pass it to him, and it goes out the other way or comes back to me, punches it back. We don’t do that now.
“I don’t want to dwell on our time, but there’s no recycling of the ball, go into one area, come back out the other way.
“There’s no feeling of control. The word ‘control’ is not something you associate with this Man United team.
“It’s like: we score, you score. You get a chance, we get a chance. You can’t win a lot of games like that, it becomes a lottery.
“That’s where we are at the moment. The ball goes up to the forwards; there’s no real care, no real quality sometimes. And I’m like, come on, man.”
Manchester United’s latest defeat has raised more questions over Ruben Amorim’s formation
Manchester United might have just edged possession against their local rivals with 55 per cent of the ball, but their lack of overall control highlighted the continuous issue with Ruben Amorim’s formation.
The decision to play two in midfield, Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes against Manchester City, has been criticised ever since he took charge, and it failed again this past weekend.
Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United improved when Kobbie Mainoo came on, but he was unable to impact the overall result.
Paul Scholes has also questioned the formation, particularly the use of Fernandes, claiming the Manchester United captain looks “bored” on the pitch in his current role.