Following Manchester United’s 1-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday evening, their first port of call this January may be selling a player who has since been labelled “scandalous” after his performance. It is almost that time of year again when United tear up large parts of their squad and turn to the transfer window in search of inspiration to reclaim former glories.
Sell the deadwood, sign shiny new toys for far more than they are worth, and repeat. While there is a degree of optimism surrounding the Ruben Amorim era, after a marked improvement on last season’s disastrous campaign that saw the club slump to its worst-ever Premier League finish, there remain some glaring flaws, and their transfer strategy keeps coming back to bite them.
Compounding those issues is the fact that captain Bruno Fernandes, who usually keeps things ticking in midfield, picked up a hamstring injury. But even before that, United’s biggest weakness at present appears to lie in the engine room, and the worst of a bad bunch once again at Villa Park was Manuel Ugarte, who will have to count his lucky stars if he has any chance of surviving January and playing a part in the long-term project
Manuel Ugarte’s “Scandalous” Performance in Aston Villa 1-2 Man United
list is keeping control of the middle of the pitch, snuffing out the danger and winning his battles. But right now, that’s the complete opposite of what Ugarte, who cost upwards of £43 million and is earning £120,000 per week, is currently achieving.
In his 73-minute appearance, which ended with a yellow card that prompted his substitution, the 24-year-old completed just 70 percent of his passes in the opposition half, lost possession eight times from only 44 touches, won only two of five tackles, and lost seven ground duels. A moment that perfectly summed up his performance, which earned 3/10 in GIVEMESPORT’s player ratings, came when he was easily bundled over and dispossessed in his own half, allowing Villa to get a shot on goal (watch below):
Reacting to his display online, one X user wrote: “Honestly, Manuel Ugarte is a shadow of his former self. Needs to really improve or get shipped off come January”, as another added: “Ugarte, a very rubbish footballer”, and a third wrote: “Players to sell in January. 1. Ugarte End of list.” Meanwhile, The Sun’s Man United correspondent Samuel Lockhurst labelled him “scandalous”, writing (see his full post below):
“How many times does he turn attack into defence, complain about a non-foul, and United either concede or get away with one? Brilliant from Lammens.”
Elsewhere, a fifth continued: “Manuel Ugarte’s Manchester United days are numbered,” a sixth added: “Hope United will sell Ugarte in January,” as a seventh concluded: “Ugarte is shocking. How he gets more games time than [Kobbie] Mainoo is criminal.”
Amorim Must Make Some Tough Decisions in the New Year
Amorim prides himself on making minimal changes, placing faith in his highly regarded players until they come good. It’s the same approach he has taken with his three-at-the-back formation, yet he is surely checking his watch constantly, wondering how long he can avoid being forced to sell Ugarte.
Form is temporary, but at the moment, Ugarte’s overall baseline quality appears to have dropped significantly since his move from Paris Saint-Germain. He is simply not up to the standard required in the Premier League, least of all at the country’s biggest club. Once celebrated for his physicality, that trait now seems to only earn him bookings and suspensions.
Selling him, however, would leave a gap in midfield. Revisiting a deal for Carlos Baleba could make sense, as could finding a way to bring Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, or Conor Gallagher to Old Trafford after other defensive midfield options have been deemed surplus to requirements.
