Michael Carrick led Manchester United at Old Trafford for the final time this season, and while he will return next season, some players who stood on the pitch won’t.
Sunday saw Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest, with the post-match events centred around Casemiro saying goodbye to Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick spoke to the supporters in the stadium, wishing Casemiro well, but also confirming Tyrell Malacia would depart the club with his contract expiring next month.
But a third United player also saw his time at the club all but officially brought to an end by Carrick’s decision.
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Michael Carrick showed exactly what he thinks of Manuel Ugarte vs Nottingham Forest
While Malacia and Casemiro are definitely leaving this summer, Manuel Ugarte also looks absolutely destined to depart.
His two seasons at the club have proven he just isn’t good enough, and Carrick agrees.
Carrick has played Ugarte for 155 minutes since January, with 90 coming in the worst performance of this spell against Leeds.
Ugarte’s losing record is well documented, and against Forest, Carrick continued to snub him.
Carrick instead turned to Mason Mount off the bench to replace Casemiro in the 81st minute, which seemed like a telling indication of what he thinks of Ugarte.
Ugarte has options this summer, and a departure feels inevitable with Carrick clearly not rating him at all.
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Mason Mount showed signs of life for Manchester United vs Forest
Mount struggled massively against Sunderland when starting in midfield, although the caveat was that he’s played such limited football that he is sure to be rusty.
But against Forest, Mount showed some signs that he could suit the role under Carrick.
He only got nine minutes, but Mount completed all his passes, made five defensive contributions, two successful dribbles, one tackle, and three recoveries.
Mount also won all three of his duels, as he worked relentlessly to dominate the midfield late on with his intensity and surprisingly good progression.
If this is what we can expect from Mount, then he could still have a big future at Old Trafford.
But it requires him to stay fit.
Hopefully, he starts against Brighton, and we can see whether the cameo was a fluke or not.
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