Manchester United manager Rubén Amorim has delivered a stark public warning to the club's £50.5 million summer signing, Manuel Ugarte, stating the Uruguayan midfielder must significantly improve his performances in training to reverse his alarming decline.
The Struggle for Minutes
Ugarte, who arrived at Old Trafford in August 2024 prior to Amorim's own appointment, is enduring a desperately difficult period. His opportunities have all but dried up, with the player managing a paltry 27 minutes of total action across United's last three matches.
Amorim openly admitted his midfielder is struggling to adapt. 'You have been here longer than me and you can feel that many very good players come here and sometimes struggle,' the manager stated. 'He is struggling at the moment, but it is our job to try to help our players and, again, everything can change.'
A Shift in Midfield Dynamics
The situation for the 23-year-old has been exacerbated by a dramatic shift in United's midfield setup. The remarkable renaissance of Casemiro, combined with Amorim's tactical decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, has largely blocked Ugarte's path to the first team.
The statistics make for grim reading. Only five outfield players have been granted fewer minutes under Amorim this season: Tyler Fredricson (45), Joshua Zirkzee (90), Ayden Heaven (92), Noussair Mazraoui (203), and Kobbie Mainoo (228).
Future Plans and Present Challenges
Compounding Ugarte's personal battle is the club's strategic planning. Manchester United are reportedly plotting a major midfield overhaul next summer, with players like Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and Joao Gomes all on their radar.
When questioned about potential new signings, Amorim was pragmatic. 'It is difficult to say that [we are looking for midfield signings now], but I think we can add in the future,' he conceded. 'Sometimes it is not the quality of the players, it is the characteristics of the players, and we can improve in some areas of our club.'
Despite the public challenge, the United boss affirmed his commitment to helping Ugarte rediscover his form, drawing on his own past as a player. 'My job is to try to help him to feel like a player, as I felt when I was a Sporting player, for example,' Amorim said. 'But it is a different world and he has to adapt and he has to improve, especially in training.'
