Manchester United fans made their feelings clear about Manuel Ugarte after Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men secured a convincing 3-0 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy signed off his interim Manchester United managerial spell with his third win in four matches ahead of the November international break.
United took the lead at Old Trafford in the first half against Leicester City after a stunning strike by Bruno Fernandes from the edge of the box.
Victor Kristiansen then planted the ball into the back of his own net in the 38th minute to put United 2-0 up before half-time in the Premier League clash.
Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench in the second half and netted United’s third in the 82nd minute to seal all three points for the Red Devils.
Van Nistelrooy became United interim manager last week after Erik ten Hag was sacked following the Red Devils’ poor start to the 2024-25 campaign.
However, the 48-year-old United legend, who was assistant manager under Erik ten Hag, steadied the ship at Old Trafford ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival at the club.
Ruben Amorim will succeed former United manager Ten Hag at Old Trafford on 11th November after the Red Devils triggered his Sporting CP release clause.
Ugarte steps up with Man Utd performance
Manchester United are 13th in the Premier League table after picking up their fourth league win, with the Red Devils only four points adrift from the top four.
Manuel Ugarte has had the opportunity to shine under United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and started in all four matches under the Dutchman.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan defensive midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer and United signed him on deadline day.
Ugarte, who was signed in a deal worth £50.5m from Paris Saint-Germain, struggled to make consistent appearances in the United starting XI under Erik ten Hag.
But Kobbie Mainoo’s time on the sideline and Van Nistelrooy’s interim appointment have carved out the chance for Ugarte to showcase his skills in the heart of midfield.
Ugarte partnered alongside Casemiro for the Leicester City clash and saw out the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford, with the ex-PSG star putting in a real workhorse shift.
The Uruguay midfielder was lively with his presence and Ugarte superbly assisted Casemiro in midfield, with Ugarte looking more confident on the ball.
Man Utd fans react to Ugarte vs Leicester City
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Ugarte for his superb showing against Leicester City in the 3-0 Premier League win.
Red Devils supporters praised how Ugarte, who played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP, has now ‘unlocked’ Casemiro with his midfield presence.
Casemiro came off in the second half of Sunday’s win, but the former Real Madrid star has seen a turnaround in form thanks to his partnership with Ugarte.
“Ugarte is really having a good game, his physicality is amazing, giving Casemiro [a] free role, incredible,” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “I just can’t let that Manuel Ugarte performance go to waste, and we are yet to see his partnership with Ruben Amorim.”
A third X user posted: “Ugarte and Casemiro are solid in the midfield. It’s been a while since we had this kind of midfielder.”
“Ugarte being the one to unlock Casemiro was not on my bingo card at all,” another added.
A fifth fan claimed: “I think people don’t appreciate Ugarte enough. He’s the proper destroyer we needed to reduce the runs of Casemiro in midfield. In all the matches I’ve watched, he and Casemiro… they’ve helped each other very well.”
While a sixth wrote: “Casemiro is a different player now he has someone alongside to help. He and Ugarte are running the midfield.”
“Ugarte had a really good game today. Casemiro was carrying a slight injury in the whole [second] half and Ugarte has taken up the responsibility well,” somebody else tweeted.
An eighth said: “I love the fact Ugarte just keeps it simple and finds a red shirt, it’s well needed in this team. Really growing into his role here.”
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