Manchester United’s most recent signing, Manuel Ugarte, has now been in action for his country.
Having been signed on transfer deadline day, Manuel Ugarte had little time to prepare for Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford.
But Erik ten Hag surprised fans when he claimed that Manchester United fans would need to wait months for Ugarte to make his debut.
After Toby Collyer’s solid performance against Liverpool, he will likely be the player Ugarte is looking to unseat as a starting midfielder.
Despite this, now Ugarte has been in action for Uruguay in what could act like a pre-season for the £42m midfield ace.
What Uruguayan media have said about Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte was in the starting line-up for Uruguay against Paraguay along with Facundo Pellistri who Manchester United sold to Panathinaikos.
It was Ugarte’s first game since the Copa America 3rd place playoff in which Uruguay won on penalties.
Two months without a match, Ugarte would have been expected to show some rustiness and that was the case according to the Uruguayan media.
El Pais scored him just 6/10 with the following review: “Careful when circulating the ball and cunning to receive several fouls when covering it. He was incisive when recovering in the midfield, although he also missed some short passes when he was pressured.”
Following this, El Observador scored his outing just 5/10 slightly harsher: “The best of Uruguay in the first half. For how he tried to hold the defensive balance of the team, for his controls, for his ball distribution. His great deployment in the first half and his inactivity since the America’s Cup made him decay in the second half.”
Montevideo explained that Ugarte left the game very tired, but did show certain aspects of his game: “From less to more in the game. He started somewhat uncomfortable and losing some ball, but little by little he let go and showed the best facet of his game goes through recovery and speed to occupy spaces. In the complement, he again showed insecurities for the handling of the ball. He left the game very tired in the 79th minute.”
Uruguayan involvement for Ugarte could end up a real positive, with vital minutes which could have him almost ready to feature against Southampton for Manchester United.
Although Ugarte will likely miss out as he will have less than 48 hours to recover upon flying back to Manchester.
Manchester United’s No.25 won 12 duels
Ugarte played in the middle of a three-man midfield and despite low ratings by Uruguayan media, he was dominant.
An 87 per cent pass completion rate also saw him create one chance. 10 of his 52 passes completed were into the final third which is an encouraging stat.
Off the ball is where he showcased his talent, winning two tackles along with 12 duels, 10 defensive actions, six recoveries and three clearances.
Ugarte was dispossessed just once and was not dribbled past at all – which bodes well for what the Manchester United midfield needs.
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