Ruben Amorim issued a stern warning to Manuel Ugarte last month, telling the Manchester United midfielder he needed to step up his game in training to earn his place back in the team. However, with only 13 minutes of play in five Premier League matches since then, it seems the message has fallen on deaf ears.
Ugarte has remained on the bench for four out of those five games, and his career at Old Trafford appears to be hanging by a thread as plans for a significant midfield overhaul are underway. This weekend could provide the Uruguayan with an opportunity to revive his fortunes, potentially his last chance.
With Casemiro serving a suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season, Ugarte seems the most likely candidate to fill the defensive midfield position.
If he is passed over for Kobbie Mainoo, another player about whom Amorim has expressed reservations, it could signal the end for Ugarte. If he plays and fails to impress, the outcome could be equally damaging.
Last month, Amorim emphasised his desire to help his former Sporting protege overcome his difficulties, but recent events suggest this goal has not been met.
"You can sense a lot of very good players come here, and sometimes they struggle," he said. "He is struggling at the moment but it is our job to try to help and help him to feel like I felt when he was a Sporting player. But it is a different world. He needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training."
Amorim has been harsh in his assessment of Ugarte for the second time, having previously criticised him following the Europa League final. Despite their shared history and Ugarte's familiarity with Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, the player has failed to capitalise on these advantages.
After leaving Sporting for Paris Saint-Germain, Ugarte spent a challenging year in Ligue 1 before making a £50.5million move to Manchester United. His confidence appears to have taken a hit due to his difficult stint in Paris and the tumultuous environment at Old Trafford.
Ugarte was not Erik ten Hag's preferred choice for his position in the summer of 2024 and had a slow start at United. While Amorim's arrival sparked a brief revival, there has been little evidence over the past 18 months that Ugarte is up to the task.
While a January exit seems unlikely, especially if Mainoo goes out on loan, a summer transfer could be on the cards if Ugarte fails to improve.
The future of every midfielder at United is currently uncertain for various reasons. In Ugarte's case, it's down to his performances, and what happens next largely depends on him.
He has an opportunity to prove himself at Villa Park on Sunday, but failure to do so could push him closer to the exit door.