Ruben Amorim says ‘struggling’ Manuel Ugarte needs to improve in training to turn his poor Manchester United form around.
Speaking ahead of United’s clash with Everton on Monday, the Portuguese tactician issued a warning to his former Sporting Lisbon midfielder, who has played just 300 minutes of Premier League football this season.
Asked if he was surprised by Ugarte’s performances this campaign, Amorim admitted the Uruguayan is struggling at the start of the season and said it is ‘his job’ to help the midfielder return to his best.
Amorim also said Ugarte needs to adapt to a ‘different role’ at Old Trafford and show improvement in training, having been handed just two league starts so far this term.
Amorim Sends Warning to Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim watching on from the touchline
Amorim, speaking to the press ahead of United’s meeting with Everton, said Ugarte is ‘struggling’ at the moment and delivered a stark warning to the Uruguayan:
“You are here longer than me and you can sense that a lot of very good players come here and sometimes they struggle.
“He is struggling in the moment, but it is our job to try and help our players. Again, everything can change. You saw it, five weeks ago, the environment was completely different.
“I know that Ugarte is struggling in the moment and my job is to help him to feel, as a player, like I felt when he was a Sporting player.
“But it’s a different role and he needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training.”
Amorim has placed heavy trust in the duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in midfield this season, with Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo providing back-up off the bench.
Mainoo has been handed even less game time than the £150,000-a-week Uruguayan this season, with the Carrington graduate playing just 228 minutes of league football under Amorim.
As a result, the England international’s future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks. As GIVEMESPORT revealed previously, Mainoo would be open to departing Old Trafford in January to boost his chances of making the 2026 World Cup squad.
Ugarte’s prospects at Old Trafford are not much brighter, with United plotting an overhaul of their midfield in 2026 and a Premier League-proven midfielder on the club’s agenda.
The Red Devils targeted a move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba last summer and have also earmarked Nottingham Forest ace Elliot Anderson as another potential target.