Rio Ferdinand has performed a U-turn over ‘brilliant’ Man Utd star, he’s a superstar for Ruben Amorim

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After a nightmare start, one Manchester United player has got his flowers from Rio Ferdinand.

When a Manchester United legend speaks, for the majority, we all listen to what they have to say.

This can often skew fans’ perceptions of players and this season has been no different with a number of players being criticised.

Manuel Ugarte fell victim to this, with pundits and former United players not convinced by the Uruguayan upon first impressions back in September and October.

However, now the £41m midfielder has proven his worth and is making these critics perform U-turns over their verdict on the Uruguayan, with Rio Ferdinand among them.

• READ MORE: Who is Rio Ferdinand? Age, Height, Wife, Children, Net Worth

Rio Ferdinand wrote Manuel Ugarte off in

United legend Rio Ferdinand is full of opinions which he regularly shares on his YouTube channel ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’.

Ferdinand wrote Ugarte off in October after Erik ten Hag’s United were humbled by Tottenham Hotspurs, with the legendary United centre-back claiming the Uruguayan lacked the ‘raw speed’ to play in the defensive midfield role.

Ugarte was caught out in this game due to Ten Hag’s kamikaze tactics which saw United’s No.25 exposed in the middle all alone.

However, once Ten Hag left, Ugarte became a truly pivotal player for Amorim, with his absence being detrimental to United against Newcastle.

Following another top performance against Liverpool, now Ferdinand has performed a U-turn as he praised Ugarte.

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

Ferdinand performs U-turn over Manchester United’s Ugarte

Ugarte has gone from strength to strength for United, with Paul Scholes claiming the defensive midfielder is untouchable.

Graeme Souness has been left eating his words about Ugarte, following the trend of Ferdinand.

After the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Ferdinand could not help but laud Ugarte.

“Ugarte I thought was brilliant yesterday, right”, he told his brother Anton on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

Ferdinand was not wrong to write off Ugarte initially as he can hardly be blamed considering the slow start Ugarte had under Ten Hag.

United’s former No.5 could not be expected to foresee Amorim’s arrival which changed Ugarte’s fortunes.

Now, it seems United have found the defensive midfielder who has been lacking for the past decade or longer.