One of Rúben Amorim’s “unstoppable” players against Manchester City is set to be replaced when Manchester United line up at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Manchester United are back in league action this weekend as Rúben Amorim takes his side to face Manchester City.
Both managers have endured underwhelming starts to the season. United have collected one win, one draw, and one defeat, while City also sit on three points from three games, leaving them down in 13th place.
The derby now presents an ideal opportunity for either team to kick-start their campaign and heap more pressure on their neighbours in what has been a fascinating opening to the Premier League.
When the two last met at the Etihad, United produced a dramatic turnaround, with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad earning Amorim’s men a memorable 2-1 victory just before the turn of the year.
Ugarte was “unstoppable” vs City last season
When you think of United’s comeback performances last season, the one that will stick in everyone’s mind is the incredible fixture at Old Trafford against Olympique Lyonnais, where goals from Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire secured one of the most stunning 5-4 wins football has ever witnessed.
However, another United comeback was the club’s 2-1 win over City in December, which was voted the Premier League’s improbable comeback of last season.
While Amad secured much of the praise for winning the penalty rather than notching the winning goal himself, Fernandes took the time to praise fellow midfielder Manuel Ugarte for his role in the result, hailing the Uruguayan’s performance as “unstoppable” at the Etihad.
“I think Manu Ugarte was outstanding today for me, but I can’t take the credit away from Amad because decisive moments are for big players, and he was there in the decisive moments, but, for me, Manu was unstoppable; he was really good,” Fernandes said after the result.
Ugarte set to be replaced vs City
Ugarte started both the away and then home fixtures under Amorim against City last season, but ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon, all indications point to Ugarte being on the bench when the two sides line up this weekend.
So far this campaign, Fernandes has been playing as part of the midfield two in the Premier League, with the player being partnered with Casemiro. However, the 24-year-old still came off the bench in the first two ties, against Arsenal and Fulham.
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But, following an abysmal 45 minutes from the start against Grimsby Town, Ugarte was an unused substitute against Burnley, the game in which United secured their first win of the season.
While United were chasing a goal against Arsenal, Amorim chose to play Ugarte, but against Burnley, Mainoo was trusted over his teammate, signalling a possible change in the pecking order.
While Ugarte may have been “unstoppable” against City at the Etihad last season, it looks increasingly as if the midfielder will be relegated to a minimal role when the two sides face off on the same ground on Sunday afternoon.
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