The latest Man United news as Manuel Ugarte remains an injury doubt, but another nightmare scenario is also on the cards if he's available to play Arsenal.
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Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte.
Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images.)
Manchester United are facing up to a possible nightmare scenario when it comes to Manuel Ugarte in the weeks ahead - if the midfielder returns from injury to take on Arsenal.
United are currently preparing to face Arsenal in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford at the weekend. A total of 21 points separates United and the Gunners, who are second in the table, as the Reds try to claim back-to-back victories in the top-flight to boost morale.
Ruben Amorim has regularly relied on Ugarte in the middle of the park since being appointed as the United head coach back in November. The Uruguay international has started 12 of United's last 14 Premier League games - and missing only two in that run - one through suspension and another with a knock.
That suspension came as a result of Ugarte picking up five yellow cards across the first half of the season - which forced the midfielder to miss United's defeat to Newcastle back in December. Ugarte is now facing up to a similar predicament as March's international break moves further into view.
Ugarte has, currently, picked up eight yellow cards this campaign in the Premier League. Two more before United complete their 32nd top-flight game would result in the 23-year-old being handed a two-match ban in the league.
United's next two matches in the Premier League see them face Arsenal and Leicester City. If Ugarte was to get booked in both of those games, he would then be suspended for two matches, which would be served away at Nottingham Forest and at home to Manchester City in the Manchester derby on April 6.
However, Ugarte missed United's 1-1 midweek draw with Real Sociedad in the Europa League with what has been described as a "small" injury and he may not be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday anyway. It remains to be seen if the midfielder will be available to return to the squad to take on the Gunners, with Amorim unable to confirm if Ugarte would be involved against the Gunners.
After facing Arsenal, Leicester, Forest and City, United will then meet Newcastle on April 13 in their 32nd Premier League fixture and the final match before the yellow card threshold increases from 10 to 15.