If there is one position up for grabs in Ruben Amorim’s line-up, it is that central midfield role alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Casemiro remains the preferred partner for the Portuguese magnifico.
But the Brazilian is no longer as athletic as he once was. He cannot cover ground like he used to, and that leaves United’s midfield exposed.
He is unable to provide the complete defensive shield Fernandes needs to thrive as a deep-lying playmaker.
Interesting midfield options fronted
Had Amorim landed his ideal midfield signing, Carlos Baleba, he would not be toying with creative solutions to get the best out of his engine room.
Instead, now, fresh suggestions have emerged over who should be deployed at the heart of his midfield to bring the stability his United side so clearly craves.
Defenders Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and even Noussair Mazraoui have all been touted as capable options in the centre of the park.
But before Amorim takes the ruthless route of fielding a defender in midfield, should he not give the actual midfielders available the benefit of the doubt?
Ugarte keen to win back Amorim’s trust
Manuel Ugarte is undoubtedly hoping for a chance to reclaim Amorim’s faith.
Yet to start a league game and hooked at half-time in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby, where United crashed out on penalties, it has been a rocky start to the season for the 2024 summer signing.
After a lukewarm maiden campaign at Old Trafford, the hope was that Ugarte would shake off his unconvincing start.
However, he has not, as he recently admitted, while promising to step up his game.
While some United fans are looking forward to his resurgence, they would love what Ugarte has now said while on international duty.
“I’m going to start,” said Ugarte on ESPN ahead of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against Chile, having started the 3–0 win over Peru on the bench.
The 24-year-old went on to say:
“I’m very well, very happy. I feel physically fit, and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to show why I’m on the national team.
“Being in a World Cup is a huge achievement, and for a player, it’s something incredibly important. I went to the last World Cup, and it was beautiful—both for me and my family.”
All eyes on Chile vs Uruguay
Ugarte has promised a spirited performance against Chile set for Wednesday morning, and one would hope things go to plan for the ex-PSG man.
Ideally, he will replicate the kind of display he produced in the 2–1 Premier League Summer Series win over West Ham.
Ugarte sold fans a dream in that game, with The Peoples Person then describing his performance as “combative and busy in the middle of the park.”
Hopefully, he can exemplify those traits in the opportunities he gets, such as against Chile and in cameo appearances under Amorim. Because if he does, it may only be a matter of time before he wins back his spot in Amorim’s starting XI and emerges as Fernandes’ ideal midfield partner ahead of the expected midfield shake-up next year.
Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Since Dan was introduced to Manchester United in 2008, he has lived and breathed the club. What started as being a fan evolved into writing about United, allowing him to feel part of their journey. Hopefully, his work might even help rekindle your love for the kings of Manchester.
