Manchester United return to action on Sunday afternoon as Ruben Amorim takes his side to face Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Manchester United won the FA Cup back in May but holding onto that crown may be a little tricky.
United have been drawn against Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup, possibly the most difficult tie Ruben Amorim could have been given.
The Gunners beat United 2-0 in December and will pose a real threat to United’s attempts to retain the FA Cup.
Amorim will have seen Newcastle United beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium just days ago though and United will head to North London with hope of a similar performance.
Another strong away performance would be ideal here, just a week since United produced a fine display to draw 2-2 at Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim on Manuel Ugarte development
Amorim may well name a very similar side to the one which lined up at Anfield last Sunday.
That would surely feature Manuel Ugarte in midfield after the Uruguayan international excelled against Liverpool.
Ugarte’s start to life at Old Trafford was maybe a little slow but the appointment of Amorim may well have been perfect for him.
Amorim featured Ugarte as one of his key players at Sporting, leading to his 2023 move to PSG.
Now reunited at Old Trafford, Ugarte is building momentum – and has now been praised by Amorim.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Amorim suggested that Ugarte has actually improved since they were at Sporting together.
Amorim feels that training with PSG – alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele – has improved Ugarte in a technical sense.
Amorim believes that Ugarte is still an ‘aggressive’ player but has improved his passes to break lines in midfield.
The United boss added that Ugarte is playing a ‘very important’ role in the team as he starts to show his best form in a United shirt.
“I think he has become better with the ball, playing between the lines,” said Amorim.
“He continues to be an aggressive player but he has improved because he trained with some of the players at PSG. He is from Uruguay, it is his style. He is a good example. He plays in a very important position in the team,” he added.
Ugarte performances sparking U-turns
Ugarte was written off quickly after joining United having struggled in the 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
That wasn’t Ugarte’s finest afternoon but it was just one game and he certainly deserved more time.
Now adjusting to life in the Premier League, Ugarte is starting to prove his doubters wrong.
Graeme Souness has pulled a U-turn on Ugarte whilst Rio Ferdinand has branded Ugarte ‘brilliant’ having previously criticised the midfielder.
Ugarte is starting to shine as a United player and long may that continue with Amorim at the helm.
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