Manuel Ugarte has credited one man for helping to transform his career and the Manchester United star has praised the people who helped him to be “successful.”
The 23-year-old Uruguayan midfielder has made three Premier League starts in six appearances for Manchester United in the current campaign since his summer move.
Manuel Ugarte has impressed at times during his first-team appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, with the United star offering much-needed depth to the midfield.
The Red Devils splashed out on a deal that could reach £50.5m to sign Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day in the summer.
Ugarte’s early months at Old Trafford saw the former PSG star being sporadically used by former United manager Erik ten Hag in the current season.
However, Erik ten Hag was sacked last month and Kobbie Mainoo has been out of action due to injury, with the door opened for Ugarte to make his presence felt.
Ruud van Nistelrooy called on Ugarte during his four-match interim managerial spell at Old Trafford and partnered the United star alongside Casemiro in midfield.
Ugarte on life at Sporting CP
Manuel Ugarte started his professional playing career in his native homeland of Uruguay and played for Fenix before he signed for Portuguese side Famalicao.
The Uruguay international caught the eye of Sporting CP and the Primeira Liga outfit brought him to the Lisbon-based club in 2021.
Ugarte’s impressive spell at Sporting CP, which included lifting a Portuguese League Cup, would lead to PSG completing a stunning swoop for him in 2023.
Speaking to Inside United, Ugarte admitted that it was a “very proud” moment for him to sign for Sporting CP after only a short spell with Famalicao.
“It was so fast,” Ugarte said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I arrived in January [to sign for Famalicao] and, in June, I was leaving for Sporting. It’s one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and I was very proud.
“I enjoyed my time at Famalicao and also at Sporting, where I spent almost three years.
“Lisbon is amazing – the city, the people, the club, my teammates. Everything.”
Ugarte’s admiration for Man Utd man
Ugarte’s spell at Sporting CP saw him under the tutelage of Ruben Amorim, who has been widely hailed for his transformative impact on the Portuguese side.
Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford at the start of the November break and the ex-Sporting CP boss succeeded Erik ten Hag as the new United manager.
Ugarte is widely expected to fit into Amorim’s plans at the Premier League club, having played under the 39-year-old Portuguese manager at Sporting CP.
The former Sporting CP and PSG player admitted that United manager Amorim was among those who “helped” him a lot early into his career.
“It is a warm place that treats you well and you make lots of friends,” Ugarte added.
“That helped me be successful. I felt comfortable. We had a great coach [Ruben Amorim] who helped me a lot, too.”
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