Manuel Ugarte has named the Manchester United star he feels lucky to play with following his opening few months at Old Trafford.
Manuel Ugarte signed for Manchester United on the final days of the 2024 transfer window as he joined Erik ten Hag’s squad to replace Scott McTominay in midfield.
Life started slow for Ugarte at United, with no pre-season meaning the player was sluggish compared to others in the Premier League, with many questioning his signing.
However, once Ten Hag was relieved of his duties, Ugarte started to flourish under caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Rúben Amorim, who he knows well from his time at Sporting CP.
However, amid poor for from United, Ugarte has been in and out of the starting team, but many hope that once Amorim can bring more stability to the side’s performances, Ugarte will become a key part of the future.
Ugarte feels lucky to play with one player
Speaking to Sky Sports via United in Focus, Ugarte has been gushing about one of his new teammates, explaining he feels lucky to play with Bruno Fernandes.
Ugarte spoke with Sky as part of “The Big Interview,” where he went through a collection of shirts – one of which was the No. 18 shirt of Fernandes during the 2020/21 season, which was the Portuguese’s first full season at the club after arriving in January 2020.
“Brunito with the number 18″, Ugarte said. “He’s an excellent player and I can confirm that now as his teammate. As a person, the talent he has… it was a great surprise when I first met him and to share each day with him.”
Fernandes is known to be a prominent figure in the dressing room and is now the club’s captain, with fans and teammates alike only ever having brilliant anecdotes of the player.
Ugarte also admires United legend
Even if his football has not always been top-notch, many United fans are still fans of Ugarte due to his passion on the football pitch and clear love for the club – a trait many South Americans hold.
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During his interview, he also picked up an iconic No. 7 shirt with Eric Cantona on the back, and explained he has a love for the Manchester United legendary striker.
“I like him [Cantona], an excellent player and a great personality, right? Another wonderful player who wore the number seven.
“That’s why the number seven is so important to the club. He’s not from my time because I’m young but still we all know who Cantona was and how he played and also what I was saying his personality and mentality.”
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