Manuel Ugarte demonstrated he is ready to come straight into the Manchester United starting XI with an all-action display for Uruguay during the international break.
The 23-year-old completed his move to Old Trafford in the final week of the summer transfer window, becoming United’s fifth new arrival.
Ugarte was not registered in time for last Sunday’s showdown against Liverpool with Casemiro – the man he is tipped to replace in midfield – enduring a disastrous afternoon as United were hammered 3-0 by their arch-rivals.
With the exception of Noussair Mazraoui, thrown straight into the team given the shortage of options at full-back, Erik ten Hag has opted to ease his new signings in gradually.
Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt were used as substitutes in United’s opening two games of the season with ten Hag using the same approach with other new signings over the last two years.
On last Sunday’s evidence, United will need Ugarte in midfield when they take on Southampton at St Mary’s on 14 September. But speaking after the Liverpool defeat, ten Hag suggested he could be reluctant to throw him straight into the side despite their clear problems in the middle of the park.
‘If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season,’ the United boss said. ‘Not one match minute. So he needs to build his fitness and then we have to build him in the team and I’m sure he’ll be an important player.
‘But that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.’
While it is true the former Sporting Lisbon star has little pre-season under his belt having played in the Copa America and been left out of Luis Enrique’s PSG plans, he showed no signs of that in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Starting for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, Ugarte turned in a fine midfield performance, shielding the back line impressively and getting across the pitch to halt counter attacks. United’s latest addition also comfortably coped with the Paraguayan press before being replaced after 79 minutes with the game ending goalless.
Ugarte will have the chance to get more minutes under his belt when Uruguay take on Venezuela on Tuesday.
After joining up with international teammates last week, Ugarte also insisted he is match fit and ready to contribute.
‘I’m very happy, very hungry and very excited,’ Ugarte said.
‘I feel very good, I have prepared myself. The truth is that I haven’t played many minutes since the season began, but physically I feel very good.’
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