80th minute moment during Man Utd vs Ipswich proves why Ruben Amorim’s unsung hero is undroppable

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For Ruben Amorim, Wednesday night was a massive improvement in many areas, with Ipswich’s two goals completely avoidable.

Old Trafford finally saw a league victor on Wednesday night when Ipswich Town visited.

Manchester United went behind early before two swift goals saw Amorim’s Reds looking very confident and there was a feeling that plenty of goals could be scored.

Patrick Dorgu was sent off for United in a moment of madness which left his teammates in trouble and down to 10 men. Andre Onana conceded a second almost instantly, but the second half saw Harry Maguire step up for United and score the winner.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
11	BrentfordBrentford	27	11	5	11	48	43	5	38
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	27	9	9	9	35	33	2	36
13	TottenhamTottenham	27	10	3	14	53	39	14	33
14	Man UtdManchester United	27	9	6	12	33	39	-6	33
15	EvertonEverton	27	7	11	9	30	34	-4	32
16	West HamWest Ham	26	8	6	12	30	47	-17	30
17	WolvesWolves	27	6	4	17	37	56	-19	22

United went on to win 3-2 over Ipswich, a result which moves Amorim into 14th place in the league and back within a shot of the top 10 if a run can be put together.

The game saw United display real character, with one player in particular embodying Amorim.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Manuel Ugarte is becoming a key figure for Manchester United

For large periods of the game on Wednesday night, United were holding on with one man less than Ipswich had. This was particularly the case when Casemiro replaced United’s worst performer Rasmus Hojlund in the 67th minute.

In the 80th minute, United was severely under pressure, this was until Manuel Ugarte picked up the ball before dribbling forward to the midfield line where he won a throw-in.

After doing so, Ugarte turned to an Old Trafford crowd which was anxious, before getting the crowd going by thumping his chest and waving his arms which sent the stadium into a rapture.

This rubbed off on Ugarte’s teammates who grew back into the game, with Casemiro visibly pumped up from that moment.

Ugarte’s importance to the team is highlighted here, as he does the little things but also his character on the pitch is a massive positive.

• READ: Who is Manuel Ugarte? Everything you need to know on Uruguay midfielder

Manuel Ugarte doing exactly what Ruben Amorim wants

United had just 45 per cent possession against Ipswich, so Ugarte’s main job was to defend during the 90 minutes he played.

He did this perfectly, with Ipswich having virtually no success beyond the two goals they scored which were avoidable for United.

Manuel Ugarte vs Ipswich

• 90 minutes
• 13/15 passes
• 1 chances created
• 31 touches
• 1 dribbles
• 1 tackle
• 1 interception
• 6 defensive actions
• 5 recoveries
• 8 duels won

Ugarte had a poor December and January, but in February he has kicked on once again and became one of United’s most reliable players.

Ugarte got his first United goal against Everton, but it was a performance like against Ipswich that perfectly emphasised his qualities with intensity and plenty of running.

He is United’s unsung hero and he’s absolutely undroppable.