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Opinion

Ruben Amorim already has Manuel Ugarte 2.0 at Man Utd, he could turn him into a world-beater

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Several Manchester United players stand to benefit from working under Ruben Amorim, but Manuel Ugarte could be the biggest winner.

Having worked under the new Manchester United head coach at Sporting Lisbon, Manuel Ugarte will be excited to see Ruben Amorim at the helm.

Amorim will be delighted to have Ugarte in his midfield, considering how impressive the Uruguayan was at Sporting. For the player, it is a managerial appointment of his dreams after a struggling start at Old Trafford.

Despite this, under Ruud van Nistelrooy Ugarte showed serious improvements and it was the performance against Leicester which was best of all.

This led Van Nistelrooy to predict Ugarte would star under Amorim, which we also expect will be the case.

Within United already there could actually be a Ugarte 2.0, much to the delight of Amorim.

Forest Green Rovers v Manchester United - U21 National League Cup
Photo by Morgan Harlow – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images

Dan Gore can be Ruben Amorim’s Manuel Ugarte 2.0

While Ugarte will probably become a key figure in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation alongside Kobbie Mainoo, there will be plenty of chances for the other midfielders as Amorim rotates plenty.

With this in mind, Amorim will need a secondary to Ugarte, a player with similar traits and tenacity – which is why we are excited to see how Dan Gore fits in under Amorim.

Gore is similar to Ugarte and could learn a lot about playing as a defensive midfielder from the £42m Uruguayan. However, it is Amorim who helped Ugarte become the player he is and the one United were so keen to sign in the summertime.

Gore is expected back from injury within a few weeks and he could be one player Amorim likes the look of. It has been suggested that Amorim will use the academy and Gore is possibly the most first-team-ready player in the running.

The 19-year-old is excellent on the ball along with off it which means Amorim could soon have a new superstar available to him in midfield if he can turn him into another Ugarte.

Manchester United’s midfield options under Amorim

Despite being far from ideal, Amorim will be quietly pleased with the midfield options he now boasts at Old Trafford.

The department has experienced veterans of the game in Christian Eriksen and Casemiro who admittedly may be in their final year with the club.

Mainoo and Ugarte are the likely starters in this system, with clearly defined roles.

Meanwhile, Gore and Toby Collyer likely sit as players ready to make the step up this season. The academy also boasts Jacob Devaney, Jayce Fitzgerald and Sekou Kone who all have the potential to eventually be regular fixtures.

Sverre Nypan could soon be added to this group, as could Chris Rigg as two additions Ineos seem keen to make.