Manchester United's Surprising Strategy: Ugarte's Potential Recall Against Liverpool
In a move that could raise eyebrows, Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, is reportedly contemplating bringing Manuel Ugarte back into the starting eleven for their upcoming match against Liverpool this Sunday. This decision comes despite the fact that Ugarte has not yet tasted victory in any of the games he has started this season, having recently lost his position to Casemiro.
Throughout this season, Amorim has predominantly favored Casemiro to partner with team captain Bruno Fernandes in midfield, leaving Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo to sit on the bench. However, this dynamic may shift as the Red Devils prepare to face the reigning Premier League champions at Anfield.
On Thursday, both Casemiro and Fernandes missed training as they returned from international commitments, while Amad and Matheus Cunha were also granted additional time off, although they were seen at Carrington following individual training regimens. In contrast, Ugarte participated in the senior squad's training, leading to speculation that he could be in line for a surprising start against Liverpool.
Interestingly, Ugarte was not selected by Marcelo Bielsa for an experimental squad that faced the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan, allowing him to focus on training with Amorim in Manchester. Meanwhile, Casemiro played the full duration of Brazil's two away matches against Japan and South Korea before returning to England.
Ugarte's last notable appearance was a rare start after the September international break, where United suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City. He played for 80 minutes at the Etihad before being substituted for Casemiro. This season, Ugarte's only other starts resulted in losses against Brentford and Grimsby Town.
Reflecting on his performance, Ugarte acknowledged that his season has not begun as he had hoped, expressing a strong desire to improve. "We haven't started the season very well," he shared with El Observador. "My level wasn't the best either; we have to be realistic and honest. But I'm very confident, and I have a great relationship with the coach. I work hard and am eager to secure a starting position."
During the pre-season, Amorim recognized his responsibility in aiding Ugarte's adjustment to life in Manchester. "The first step is adapting to a new team and country," Amorim explained. "Sometimes, the challenges extend beyond the pitch. He is becoming more comfortable, but he also needs to build his confidence, which is part of my role. If you look at last year, take Bruno Fernandes, who is always confident; the team's performance can falter if he doesn't play well. When players are confident, it seems like everyone can handle the ball with assurance. It's more about the team than the individual."
As the match against Liverpool approaches, the question remains: will Ugarte finally get the chance to shine, or will he continue to be overshadowed by his teammates? What are your thoughts on this potential lineup change? Do you believe Ugarte deserves another shot, or should Amorim stick with his current strategy?
