Manchester United fans will be hopeful that Manuel Ugarte is ready to debut for the club this weekend when Erik ten Hag’s side travel to St. Mary’s where they will take on Southampton in the Premier League.
Any chance of Ugarte making his United debut this week was boosted by the midfielder being named in Uruguay’s starting XI against Venezuela.
Ugarte played 79 minutes against Paraguay on Saturday and has picked up additional minutes in the clash versus Venezuela.
Although the match is still taking place, with Ugarte on the pitch and the scoreline 0-0, there was one standout highlight for our new signing who has performed strongly in the middle of the pitch.
Venezuela star Yeferson Soteldo, who plays for Brazilian side Gremio, went on an incredible run seeing off multiple Uruguayan players on his quest into the final third. That was until Ugarte’s crunching tackle saw him dispose of the ball.
Footage courtesy of Teledeportes
The referee booked Ugarte for his tackle which seemed harsh.
United fans are eager to see Ugarte in action but Erik ten Hag previously suggested that it could take a month for him to reach full fitness. Yet that didn’t stop Marcelo Bielsa from starting the defensive midfielder in both internationals…
Ten Hag told reporters last week (via The Sun): “With Ugarte, we have to build him into the team. It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.
“And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute.
“So he needs to build his fitness rate and then we have to build him in the team and I am sure he will contribute to our level and he will be an important player but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.
“And it counts for more players. Joshua Zirkzee, he made big steps the last three or four weeks, I am very pleased with his performance today but I didn’t expect this four weeks ago.
“It was the first start of De Ligt, first start of Zirkzee, also for Alejandaro Garnacho this season.
“We still have some players not available.
“We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve.
“In two years, we took two prizes and in the end of the season I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another.
“The opponent is probably a little bit further in certain areas but we will catch up and come back.
“I don’t want to talk about good things. We lost 3-0. We have to stand up and bounce back.
“We made two big mistakes and Liverpool took them really well.”
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