MU had a positive start in the US tour when he won 2-1 against West Ham. In it, there is a memorable moment of midfielder Manuel Ugarte brings great hope to the Red Devils.
The key moment
In the first match of the Premier League Summer Series US Tour 2025 season friendly match, Man United won 2-1 against West Ham. Bruno Fernandes scored both goals for the Red Devils, while Jarrod Bowen promptly brought the honorary table for West Ham in the last minutes.
The influence of Fernandes is noticeable, while the performance of rookie Matheus Cunha also brings many optimism. Kobbie Mainoo continues to impress with the energy in the middle. However, perhaps the person who made coach Ruben Amorim most satisfied was the name he had worked with before coming to Old Trafford: Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguayan player moved to Man United from PSG for a fee of £ 50 million in the summer of 2024, but had the first season full of instability. The educated form made many people suspect whether he was worthy of the money that the Red Devils spent.
Before coming to France, Ugarte was a pillar under Amorim in Sporting CP, where he rising to become one of the best young midfielders in Europe and the team won the Portuguese League Cup. It was that impressive performance that persuaded PSG to recruit him.
Now, when Amorim started his first complete season at Old Trafford, after a difficult time of recovery in the second half last season, he expected Ugarte to be one of the key factors to help convey the tactical philosophy and improve the team's competition standards.
Ugarte's performance against West Ham is a very positive signal, especially the way he coordinates with Mainoo in the center of the midfield. In particular, there is a specific situation that shows the right level of Ugarte, and it may be the image that Amorim expects from the reunion of the former student.
In the half, when the score was 1-0 in favor of Man United, Ugarte had a fierce dispute with Guido Rodriguez in the middle of the yard and won the ball successfully.
Shortly thereafter, he subtly stringed Kim James Ward-Prowse and launched a sense of feeling for Amad Diallo. The Ivory Coast player then hit the net of Alphonse and Areola, but the goal was denied for offside.
However, only a series of actions depicted the image of Ugarte at the peak period: fire, technique and direct face. If it maintains that form throughout the season, Ugarte can completely become the perfect piece in Amorim's system. And Man United will be “entitled to the full value” from this £ 50 million contract.
The underestimated person is rising
Manuel Ugarte is probably the defensive midfielder who is underestimated in the Man United squad. But in the match against West Ham, Ugarte reminded everyone why he never deserves suspicion.
Right from the opening whistle, Ugarte controlled the midfield with the blood of fire in each ball, pressing constantly, and constantly opened the passing plans of the opponent.
Passing to Amad Diallo, despite being offered, is a clear evidence for the confidence that is pouring out in his play. It is a handling phase that shows calmness, sophistication and eyesight that not everyone can do in high pressure.
This is the Ugarte that NHM MU always desires, also the one who has been labeled “bomb” after only a complete season. But in fact, he only needs three elements: regular play, a clear role, and a coach dare to trust his identity.
If you have been watching Ugarte in Sporting or PSG, you will see all the tools needed for a modern central midfielder are already available, just not used properly. And now, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, who understands Ugarte better than anyone else, the same role is clearly established, his processing speed is active. And all have started smoothly as a newly renovated machine.
Yes, Ugarte still needs to improve the ability to participate in the final ball in the third part of the enemy yard. But we need to remember that he has almost no seasonal period to get acquainted with his teammates and the system in the 2024/25 season. So when there was a season of familiarity and thorough preparation in the summer of 2025, NHM had the right to hope for a really explosive Ugarte.
If Ugarte continues to show the same form as before West Ham, England and Kobbie Mainoo can completely become the best double axis that Man United has owned since Scholes – Carrick. The transformation has begun. And if everything continues in the right direction, Man United has gained an upgrade that they waited for a long time.
