Manchester United’s final summer signing took a little while to get going. In recent weeks we have seen more of Manuel Ugarte.
Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte is the kind of midfielder you want in your team when heading into a tough away game. And that’s exactly what Manchester United have against Arsenal.
United have not won in the Premier League away at Arsenal since 2017. It is a big ask for Ruben Amorim – yet he has experience at The Emirates.
In March 2023, Ruben Amorim’s Sporting went to Arsenal and secured a 1-1 draw, a result that knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League, going through on penalties.
Manuel Ugarte rattled Arsenal
Manuel Ugarte was part of the Sporting team that started under Ruben Amorim against Arsenal, and played a key part in shutting them down.
Ugarte made eight tackles, one interception, and completed 88 per cent of his passes. Portuguese outlet Publico lauded Ugarte’s display as ‘excellent’
One player who won’t have fond memories of him is Bukayo Saka. Saka was wiped out by Ugarte in extra-time, with the Sporting star picking up his second yellow. He had earlier sent Gabriel Martinelli tumbling too.
Ugarte was sent off in the 118th minute, with the job effectively done, two minutes away from full-time fo extra-time. Sporting had done enough to force a penalty shootout, and triumphed. Ugarte was not needed for this.
The South American’s tireless display earned praise, with Sapo Desporto writing: “The English also got to know Manuel Ugarte, the next Sporting player to move to the Premier League. He swept everything and more in the midfield, with the availability and dedication that characterize him.”
The outlet also praised the mindset of the whole team the head coach sent out: “At the Emirates, there was the heart and soul of a lion. But, above all, there was organisation and courage from Ruben Amorim, who prepared a team to win.
“The players believed in the plan, were courageous and were rewarded with a qualification that, at the start, almost all critics considered impossible.”
Ugarte expected to start
Manchester United’s £42 million summer signing will be primed for a big role again against Arsenal, he was rested versus Everton ahead of this fixture.
Kobbie Mainoo picked up a suspension and is unavailable to face the Gunners, along with centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
United’s most likely midfield pairing will sit Ugarte alongside Casemiro in front of a three-man defence, and try and challenge Arsenal to break the team down.
Amorim has been to Arsenal and ground out a result before. There is no penalty shootout this evening – but there will be for the upcoming FA Cup game at the stadium, with third round replays scrapped.
Manuel Ugarte will be absolutely key if United are to get a result there on either occasion, and Amorim already has a blueprint.
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