Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has insisted he is loving his time so far in England, despite the club’s woes on the pitch.
Ugarte joined United in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth around £42m, which could rise to £50.5m with performance-related add-ons.
He has been a key player for the club this term, racking up 32 appearances across all competitions in that time. He recently opened his goalscoring account for United after finding the equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Everton last month.
Under Ruben Amorim especially, Ugarte’s role and status in that team have improved, with the pair having previously worked together at Sporting CP.
Meanwhile, United are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table with just 33 points gained from a possible 81. Amorim has won only five top-flight games since taking over, losing eight.
Ahead of United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad, Ugarte spoke to El Espectador Deportes’ Convocados [via ESPN Deportes] and shed some light on his first season at Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan was asked whether the current moment he is experiencing with the Red Devils is the best he has had since signing for them. He answered, “I don’t know if it is the best moment, but I feel good, confident and I am playing . I have more freedom to get into the box now.”
“I am enjoying it on a personal level, although on a collective level it is not the best moment, but we have to keep working.”
He said about English football, “Any competition is very important here, it is lived much more. Every weekend, if you win you are up there and, if you lose, down there. The player has to learn to deal with that.”
“This season has not been the best, we all know that. The focus has to be on Thursday, the Europa League is the competition. I’m not saying we are obliged to, but it would be nice to win it. We are all thinking about that match.”
On regularly lining up for a club of the size and stature of United, Ugarte remarked, “It is a dream because of the few Uruguayan players who have played in the Premier League and for United. When I was a kid I would wake up to watch the Premier League on TV , they are the most entertaining matches in the world and living it from the inside is an experience.”
“I tell those who come to visit me that when they go to Old Trafford they will see that it is nothing like what they are used to. It is something unique, I don’t know what it has but it is very entertaining and that is why I think it is the best league in the world . It is impressive.”
On scoring his first goal for the 20-time English champions, the 23-year-old explained, “These are all memories that I will keep. It is about encouraging me to do these things. Sometimes I limit myself to just kicking or going forward, but this is a confirmation and gives me the confidence to try to score a goal in every game.”
Sociedad vs. United kicks off on Thursday at 17:45 GMT.
Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
