Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte Criticized: Is He Really Fit to Wear the Red Devil's Jersey?
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand have both expressed doubts over Manuel Ugarte's ability to perform at Old Trafford. With his lackluster form and speculation of a potential departure, questions arise about his future with the club.
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has taken aim at Manuel Ugarte, insisting that he is simply not good enough to be playing for the club. Indeed, Butt believes that the former Paris Saint-Germain star is emblematic of a dismal transfer policy at Old Trafford.Ugarte has struggled for form at United this season, making just seven starts in the Premier League, and has yet to live up to his £50 million ($67m) price tag since his move from PSG in the summer of 2024. Ugarte had played for Sporting CP while Ruben Amorim was manager, but the pair were unable to replicate that success in Manchester. Now, with Michael Carrick in interim charge at Old Trafford, Butt, and former United defender Rio Ferdinand, have both taken aim at Ugarte's performances.Ugarte himself said in September that he was struggling for form, telling reporters: "We haven't started the season very well. My level wasn't the best either, we have to be realistic and honest."But I'm very confident, I have a very good relationship with the coach. I work well and I'm very excited and eager to earn a starting spot.”IUnited legend Butt told The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast: "Ugarte is not a Manchester United midfielder in a million years. Not in a million years he’s a Man United midfielder."That’s just one example of the recruitment and how they keep getting it wrong. They keep getting it wrong all the time with the players they’re bringing in and that’s a fact."Reports suggest that Ugarte could leave the club this month, with Turkish giants Galatasaray considering a loan move that could lead to a €25m transfer. Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!While Butt believes Ugarte is simply not of the standard United need, Ferdinand has urged new boss Carrick to find a way to improve his "disappointing" performances.The iconic former United defender told Rio Ferdinand Presents: "I've got to be honest, I have been disappointed with Ugarte. He is one player when he came in everybody said he’s got legs, he can tackle, he can move. The description I was getting was he was the right type of player we needed. It just hasn’t materialised, it hasn’t come to the fore. I haven’t seen the player that everybody was talking about before in terms of being able to get up against people quickly and tackle. "That’s meant to be a big part of his game, being aggressive. He hasn’t put a marker down in a game that’s made me think 'this guy could be one of our midfield dogs or controllers who is really going to get things going in the midfield'. He hasn’t got anywhere near that."Ferdinand added: "Can Michael Carrick get any more out of him? That is going to be a big challenge for Michael Carrick: Can he get any more out of these players as individuals to make the team better?"He’s got to get both of those bits better, the team better and the individual players playing to a high level and get so much more out of them."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited face Manchester City in a Premier League derby clash this weekend. They then take on league leaders Arsenal in what could be a huge pair of fixtures. The Red Devils are currently seventh in the table, but are just three points behind Liverpool in fourth, such is the compressed nature of the standings in January.
The Criticism Towards Manuel Ugarte
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand have not held back in their criticism of Manuel Ugarte's performances at the club. Both Butt and Ferdinand have raised concerns about Ugarte's inability to meet the standards expected at Old Trafford, questioning his suitability for the team.
Struggles on the Field
Since his high-profile move from PSG, Manuel Ugarte has failed to live up to expectations at Manchester United. With just seven starts in the Premier League and a lack of impactful performances, Ugarte has come under scrutiny for his underwhelming displays on the pitch.
Potential Departure from Old Trafford
Speculation surrounding Manuel Ugarte's future at Manchester United has been growing, with reports suggesting that a move away from the club could be on the cards. Turkish side Galatasaray is reportedly considering a loan deal that may lead to a permanent transfer, raising questions about Ugarte's long-term prospects with the Red Devils.
Michael Carrick's Challenge
As interim manager Michael Carrick takes charge at Old Trafford, the focus shifts to his ability to nurture players like Manuel Ugarte and elevate their performances. With calls for improvement from football legends like Rio Ferdinand, Carrick faces the challenge of extracting the best from his players to enhance the team's overall performance.
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
With key matches against Manchester City and league leaders Arsenal approaching, Manchester United find themselves in a pivotal moment in their season. Sitting seventh in the table but with a chance to climb the ranks, the Red Devils must address the inconsistencies in their squad, including the performances of players like Ugarte, to compete at the highest level.
