Manuel Ugarte Shines as Manchester United Draw with Liverpool

Manuel Ugarte put in a standout performance as Manchester United drew 2-2 with Liverpool, silencing critics and showcasing his growth under manager Ruben Amorim.

Manuel Ugarte's impressive performance at Anfield has given Manchester United a renewed sense of hope for the future. In the dying seconds of the 2-2 draw against Liverpool, Ugarte made a stunning reverse pass to Bruno Fernandes, showcasing his exceptional skill and vision. This moment of brilliance was the highlight of an outstanding display by the 23-year-old Uruguayan midfielder.

Ugarte's pass, made while running towards his own goal, demonstrated his ability to remain calm under pressure and think critically on the pitch. Although Harry Maguire's missed opportunity may dominate the headlines, Ugarte's contribution was a testament to why his arrival at Manchester United in September generated significant optimism. His performance against Liverpool underscored his potential to make a meaningful impact at Old Trafford.

As Manchester United continues to navigate a challenging season, Ugarte's display at Anfield offers a promising glimpse into the team's future prospects. With his impressive midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo and his ability to dictate the pace of the game, Ugarte is quickly becoming an integral part of United's squad. As the season unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching Ugarte's progress and the impact he can make on the team's success.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes was impressed by Manuel Ugarte's performance, admitting that the Uruguayan's quality on the ball exceeded his expectations. “His quality on the ball, it surprised me a little bit,” Scholes told Premier League Productions. “He's probably done better than I thought he would do.” Scholes attributed Ugarte's success to his prior experience under United manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, where he demonstrated his potential as a young player.

Scholes praised Ugarte's overall performance, highlighting his growing confidence and impressive all-around skills. “He (United manager Ruben Amorim) said before that Ugarte did well for him at Sporting Lisbon, as a really young player as well, so he knows him. This lad is really growing in confidence,Scholes noted. “I thought he took up some great positions, he helped defensively, he helped with the attack and I thought he had the composure to take the ball as well.”

Although the 2-2 draw against Liverpool only lifted Manchester United to 13th in the standings, the team's performance felt like a victory. For the first time since Ruben Amorim's arrival in mid-November, United played with the intensity and fearlessness that the manager has been advocating for. The team's energetic display has sparked renewed optimism among fans, who hope to see this level of performance continue in future matches.

Manuel Ugarte has flourished under the guidance of Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim, and his performance in Sunday's match against Liverpool was another opportunity to silence his critics. Ugarte had faced intense scrutiny in his early games for Manchester United, with Dutch legend Marco van Basten being one of his harshest critics. Van Basten had labeled Ugarte's 41 million euro ($42.74 million) transfer from Paris Saint-Germain as “idiotic.”

 

A strong message from Ruben to his players 🗣️#MUFC || #LIVMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2025

On Sunday, Ugarte proved his doubters wrong with an impressive display, having 58 touches of the ball and achieving an 88% passing accuracy. He also held his own against Liverpool's formidable midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones. Paul Scholes, a Manchester United legend, credited Amorim's decision to start Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield as a game-changer. This tactical move came after Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were exposed in United's 2-0 loss to Newcastle United six days earlier.

“Personnel makes a big difference,” Scholes said. “I think the middle of the pitch is the most important area of the pitch, and Monday (against Newcastle) obviously wasn't right.” Scholes' comments highlighted the significance of Amorim's midfield selection, which ultimately paid off in the thrilling 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Paul Scholes believes that Manchester United's starting lineup against Liverpool, featuring Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, is the strongest team manager Ruben Amorim can field. “Today we knew we had half a chance with Ugarte and Mainoo. The manager by now should know his players. (Sunday's starting 11) has to be his best team,” Scholes said.

Manchester United's next challenge is an FA Cup third-round match against Arsenal. The draw against Liverpool has raised questions about the team's consistency and whether they can sustain the intensity they displayed against the Premier League leaders. Sunday's match against Arsenal will provide a good test of their ability to follow up on this performance.

Scholes was impressed by United's display against Liverpool and believes it sets a standard for the team to follow. “I take more out of that performance than actually winning against the champions (Manchester City),” Scholes said. “I think now that's a blueprint, that's the way they have to go forward, they have to follow up now, that's the standard.”