Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim gave Manuel Ugarte a bluntly honest assessment of his performances in England.
The Uruguayan midfielder made a name for himself during his time under the Portuguese manager at Sporting CP between 2021 and 2023. His exploits in Lisbon earned him a €60 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old then joined Man Utd in the summer of 2024 for £43 million under the orders of Erik ten Hag, before being reunited with Amorim when the latter arrived at Carrington last November.
But while many thought that this collaboration would pay dividends, with the Montevideo native becoming a cornerstone in the new tactical system, it has been quite the opposite, with Ugarte playing second fiddle to a declining Casemiro.
Amorim told Manuel Ugarte he lost his way at Man Utd
In the latest episode of the Talk Of The Devils, The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell revealed Amorim’s brutal assessment of the midfielder’s performances at Man Utd.
“You are not the same player than what you were at Sporting,” the manager reportedly told Ugarte in the same meeting where he informed Alejandro Garnacho that he must find a new club at the end of the previous campaign.
🚨🚨🌕| JUST IN: Ruben Amorim to Manuel Ugarte the same meeting he told Alejandro Garnacho to find a new club:
“You are not the same player than what you were at Sporting.”
[@lauriewhitwell, @PaddyKeoghAF] pic.twitter.com/fgEYXkTw2m
— centredevils. (@centredevils) October 14, 2025
But while the Argentine was dropped from the club’s pre-season plans and ended up joining the so-called ‘bomb squad’ before signing for Chelsea, the Uruguay international was never omitted from the project.
However, the former PSG man has been struggling for relevance. Even with Casemiro being over the hill, he hasn’t been able to usurp him and establish himself as the club’s first-choice holding midfielder. Fabrizio Romano revealed that Man Utd were prepared to sell Ugarte for the right offer last summer.
| Ugarte’s stats by club | Appearance | Goals | Assists |
| Sporting CP | 85 | 1 | 3 |
| CA Fenix | 57 | 2 | 1 |
| Manchester United | 53 | 1 | 6 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 37 | 0 | 3 |
| FC Famalicao | 21 | 1 | 2 |
Man United need at least two new midfielders
Ugarte’s struggles have amplified Man Utd’s dire need for midfield reinforcement. INEOS tried to acquire the services of Brighton youngster Carlos Baleba last summer, and they’re expected to launch a new onslaught next summer.
Nevertheless, one new signing may not be enough to solve the club’s woes in the middle of the park, so another new arrival shouldn’t be ruled out.
In addition to Baleba, MUFC have also been linked with up-and-coming Premier League stars Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson.
