Ugarte reveals why his biggest problem under Carrick is quietly helping him
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has explained how his severe lack of playing time under Michael Carrick could actually work in his favour.
Fight for minutes
Ugarte has struggled to make an impact at United since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024.
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He was in and out of the team under now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim, while he has yet to start in any of the eight Premier League games Carrick has taken charge of.
The Uruguayan had to settle for cameos off the bench. There have been suggestions that United are ready to offload him in the next window.
The Red Devils are planning a midfield overhaul and Ugarte could be sold to help fund that rebuild. Earlier this month, Fabrizio Romano reported that Serie A sides were monitoring Ugarte’s situation ahead of a possible move.
The 24-year-old opened up about his lack of playing time at United during an interview with ESPN, putting a positive spin on the situation by suggesting it means he will be fresh and full of energy for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer.
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Silver lining
Ugarte said: “This year is different because of the World Cup. I’m very excited, I’m really looking forward to it. I know I’m not playing, but I’m looking forward to getting fit. I’m always fit, even when I’m not playing, but playing gives you a certain rhythm that you can only get that way.”
“We have to try to arrive in the best possible conditions. Marcelo [Bielsa] always does an excellent job of preparation, as he did for the Copa América. I’m calm about it.
“At the Copa América, I hadn’t played much at PSG and I felt very good going into the tournament. It often happens that when the tournament takes place during the players’ vacation, many arrive mentally tired, and I’m so eager to play that I can’t wait. Physically, it’s something that can be fixed, and I’ve always felt very good, ready to get into the rhythm and train.”
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Ugarte described what it means to him to represent his country.
“It’s an honor,” he remarked. “The more you play abroad, the more you love the national team. You connect with the players, with the people who work there, with the Uruguayans. I have been a fan of the national team since I was a child; the 2010 World Cup marked me for life.”
“The more time I spend abroad, the more I like the national team.”
On how he spends his time in Manchester off the pitch, Ugarte revealed: “The culture is very different. I’m very relaxed, I watch a lot of football, I spend a lot of time at home.”
“When I go somewhere else and I remember what it’s like to have sun every day, it’s hard (laughs).”
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“As a footballer you always dream of going to Europe, which has its wonderful aspects, but Uruguay has something that no other country has.”
When asked if he might return to Uruguay at some point in his career, he admitted he hadn’t thought about it yet. The United star insisted that for now his priority is to stay in Europe and continue playing at the highest level possible.
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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