Manuel Ugarte can advise his Manchester United teammates on facing Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, after spending one entire season at Paris Saint-Germain.
It has been a turbulent season for Manchester United but they could still qualify for the Champions League by going all the way in the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim was appointed head coach in November, though results remain inconsistent with the team sitting 13th in the Premier League.
After United beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford, the Reds secured their place in the Europa League quarter-finals and remain unbeaten in the competition. The next round promises a fiercely competitive match-up with French side Lyon.
United have two weeks to recharge the batteries before resuming action in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest. The focus will then turn to the Europa League.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manuel Ugarte compares Ligue 1 to Premier League
Although Casemiro started both legs against Real Sociedad, Manuel Ugarte will be expecting to play a key role against Lyon, given his experience against French opposition.
The 23-year-old initially impressed under Luis Enrique at PSG, but he eventually fell out of favour with the former Barcelona coach, who will be looking to guide the Parisian club to their first Champions League triumph after knocking Liverpool out of Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
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Speaking to United We Stand editor Andy Mitten for The National, Ugarte explained the biggest difference between Ligue 1 and the Premier League.
Ugarte said: “The biggest difference is the pace and intensity. It’s much more intense here.
“Obviously, the Ligue 1 in the France is physical, but I don’t know if it’s as intense. Here, it’s more of an attack. You attack from one side, then the other. Ligue 1 is bit slower.”
The first leg against Lyon takes place in France on April 10.
Ugarte focused on Manchester United winning matches
Before leaving to link up with the Uruguay national team for two World Cup qualifiers, Ugarte pledged that United will be focused on winning their upcoming matches when the team returns from international duties.
Ugarte understands that United have important games coming up even if the league campaign feels as though it has ended prematurely.
“We have very important games now,” Ugarte added. “Luckily, after the break, other players from the national teams come [back from injury], and that’s important.
“We are going to try to focus as much as possible, as we’ve been doing today, and we hope to win the first game back.”