One Manchester United star was called out for a ‘scandalous’ mistake he made during the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the weekend.
Manchester United were beaten 2–1 by Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, with Morgan Rogers scoring twice to hand the hosts all three points.
Despite enjoying long spells of control, United were unable to translate their dominance into goals. Rogers, in contrast, was ruthless, delivering two decisive moments that settled the contest.
There were still positives for Ruben Amorim’s side to take from the performance, but their continued struggles to make the most of promising periods once again proved decisive.
Following Casemiro’s suspension, many supporters had hoped to see Kobbie Mainoo start in midfield. However, a late injury ruled him out, leading to Manuel Ugarte being handed a starting role.
The Uruguayan, who has slipped down the pecking order under Amorim after a series of underwhelming displays both as a starter and substitute, faced a crucial opportunity to impress. Instead, Ugarte once again struggled, delivering a disappointing performance and looking off the pace in the heart of midfield.
Ugarte called out for ‘scandalous’ mistake vs Aston Villa
It did not take long for Ugarte’s first major error to come at Villa Park, with the midfielder almost costing his team a goal after seven minutes.
After a simple pass was played into midfield by Ayden Heaven, Ugarte’s poor touch led to a turnover and Senne Lammens was forced into making a save from John McGinn’s shot. Heaven then blocked the rebounded effort.
Ugarte was too busy looking at the referee and pleading for a foul. By the time the second shot was made, the Uruguayan had not even tracked back into his own box. Amorim looked to be asking for Heaven to play the ball into midfield before the error and looked away in frustration when Ugarte lost the ball.
Samuel Luckhurst summed up the general feeling on Ugarte with his post on X. Describing the incident, he wrote: “Scandalous from Ugarte. How many times does he turn attack into defence, complain about a non-foul, and United either concede or get away with one? Brilliant from Lammens.”
Amorim recently called Ugarte out for not being good enough in trainings and he had not started a game for United since the 3-1 defeat to Brentford. He was almost forced to play in this clash after Mainoo’s injury and Casemiro’s suspension but once again failed to deliver.
Ugarte cannot start vs Newcastle
United’s next clash does not get much easier, with the Reds facing Newcastle at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, and there will be some concerning absences.
Amorim has explained that Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, who came off injured at Villa Park, will miss that game but Casemiro will return from his suspension.
Read More: Ruben Amorim provides worrying Bruno Fernandes injury update after Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Ugarte cannot start against Eddie Howe’s side and Amorim needs to look at different solutions to the midfield problems.
Lisandro Martínez has made himself an option in the midfield after an impressive cameo against Villa but United may want a more attacking option in the midfield.
Mason Mount is another player who can drop in and play a similar role to Fernandes, and that gives an opportunity for someone like Joshua Zirkzee, or even potentially Shea Lacey, to start further forward.
Amorim has options and there is no excuse to give Ugarte any more game-time even with depleted midfield options.
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