Michael Carrick may seem like a miracle worker at Manchester United after winning his first three games since returning as head coach, but it will take something special to strike a tune out of Manuel Ugarte as patience wears thin over the Uruguay international.
Hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were hardly alive a month ago, although Manchester United were within touching distance of the Premier League’s top four.
The fact that other teams were so inconsistent – Liverpool and Chelsea most notably – kept United’s chances alive. Now, after three games under Michael Carrick, the belief is much stronger with United sitting ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in fourth place.
Carrick has made plenty of changes to how United set up in games, reverting to a back four system and adding Kobbie Mainoo to the midfield alongside Casemiro. This means Bruno Fernandes has been able to return to his favourite role as a no.10, registering two assists in United’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim deserves ___ % credit for Michael Carrick’s BRILLIANT start at Man Utd
Fill in the blank. Did Amorim lay the foundation for success at Old Trafford?
Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim as Man Utd managers split image
Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim as Man Utd managers
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With Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha proving influential, Benjamin Sesko has yet to make a start under Carrick. The 22-year-old will hope that changes against Tottenham after scoring a crucial winner against Fulham in stoppage time.
It has also become clear that some areas of Carrick’s team are better equipped than others.
Manuel Ugarte after coming off the bench against Fulham
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manuel Ugarte was a costly mistake for Man Utd
Manuel Ugarte arrived at Old Trafford in a deal worth £42 million on transfer deadline day during the summer of 2024.
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After establishing himself under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP, Ugarte spent a year at Paris Saint-Germain before Luis Enrique had enough of the midfielder.
Now, in the middle of his second year at United, fans would be hard-pressed to think of three standout performances from the Uruguayan.
The sight of Ugarte getting ready to come on against Fulham was unnerving. Carrick had few options in midfield and wanted to take off Casemiro after 75 minutes.
This means Carrick should be excused due to squad limitations, but Ugarte’s introduction led to chaos on the pitch. Fulham completed a comeback in 15 minutes, scoring twice to make it 2-0, before Benjamin Sesko saved the day in the 94th minute.
It’s a worrying trend for Ugarte, especially as a substitute, that United have conceded 24 goals when he’s been on the pitch this season.
Do you want Manuel Ugarte to be a Manchester United player for the 2026/27 season?
Manuel Ugarte playing against Fulham
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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Ugarte is Ineos’ only unmitigated disaster in terms of squad recruitment thus far. They’ve since prioritised players with Premier League experience, which signals that they are learning from their mistake.
It’s a mistake they need to avoid when trying to find a replacement for Casemiro.
Manuel Ugarte stats for Man Utd
Ugarte has made 64 appearances for United so far.
The defensive midfielder is unlikely to leave until the end of the season, but that will depend on transfer interest.
Ugarte has managed to score two goals and register six assists as a United player, though he only scored one goal in 85 appearances for Sporting CP.
During his one season in Paris, Ugarte made 37 appearances. He has been unable to replicate his form at Sporting CP since then.
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