The narrative around Manchester United almost always deals in extremes so what looked like a relegation fight at the end of the first half against Everton has ended as a hopeful platform.
Everton looked like they would run away with it, condemning Man Utd to another brutal loss at Goodison Park when they scored two first-half goals.
However, Ruben Amorim’s men flipped the script and came away with a draw that was ultimately deserved based on the balance of play after their opener.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were the architects of the comeback with brilliant strikes and MUTV pundit was all praise for one star who’s become untouchable at the club.
Wes Brown praises ‘energetic’ Manuel Ugarte
When Man Utd lost against Spurs despite creating many chances, a major pain point for the team was how easy it was for Spurs to dominate the midfield.
It was understandable too, since pretty much the whole of first-choice Utd midfield was injured for Ruben Amorim.
Casemiro struggled vs Spurs and that continued against Everton as well as he became the first man to come off in the game, for Alejandro Garnacho.
The player who truly made the difference was his partner, Ugarte, who scored United’s leveller but even before that, looked like a man running around frantically to plug every gap in the team.
Man Utd favourite Wes Brown praised Ugarte’s ‘energetic’ display on MUTV after the game, praying that he keeps fit.
Brown said: “Manuel Ugarte was energetic, United play better [when he’s playing]. He gets around the pitch, gets in people’s faces, retrieves the ball and he’s very confident in tight spaces.
“Just hope he stays fit.”
Ugarte is an untouchable at Man Utd now
Gone are the days when Man Utd fans were pleading with Erik ten Hag to give Manuel Ugarte a chance but the manager compared himself to Harry Potter, saying he can’t fasten the adaptation process for Ugarte through magic.
What started as a resurrection under Ruud van Nistelrooy has now turned into a full-blown untouchable status for Ugarte.
Ugarte’s skill set in midfield is not replicated in any other player in the Man Utd squad, with a version of Casemiro who’s five years younger probably the closest comparison.
Bought as a ball-winner, he has shown unexpectedly positive skills on the ball as well, be it through his deft dropping of the shoulder to evade tackles or raking forward passes.
Against Everton, he showed another facet of his game with a remarkable finish from the edge of the box to draw United level.
The player brought as the water carrier of the midfield is becoming the jack of all trades, and the master of them too. He’s untouchable at Man Utd right now.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
