Erik ten Hag warns Manuel Ugarte ‘could take months’ to start for Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has warned that Manchester United fans may have to wait “months” before Manuel Ugarte will regularly play for his side.

Manchester United faced their second defeat in three matches, losing 3-0 to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

Casemiro‘s two critical errors in the first half allowed Mohamed Salah to set up Luis Díaz for two brilliant goals. Despite Toby Collyer coming on for the Brazilian at half-time, Liverpool maintained their dominance, with Salah scoring a third goal to finalize the result.

Read More: Virgil van Dijk explains how Liverpool “nullified” one Man United star in 3-0 defeat

Ahead of the game, United welcomed new midfield signing Manuel Ugarte to the Old Trafford pitch for the first time following his £42 million move from Paris St. Germain earlier this week.

However, Ugarte was not signed in time to face Liverpool, with the club explaining that they did not believe he was match-fit to play anyway. Still, following Casemiro’s dreadful display, many have pointed to the hopeful idea that Ugarte may start after the international break.

However, speaking to reporters after the game, Ten Hag warned that United’s new 23-year-old could take “months” to adapt to English football, meaning it may be a while before United fans see the player start.

“So this is another one: we have to build him into the team,” Ten Hag cautioned. “It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.

“And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute. So he needs to build his fitness rate, and then we have to build him in the team, and I am sure he will contribute to our level, and he will be an important player, but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.

“And it counts for more players. Joshua Zirkzee, he made big steps the last three or four weeks, I am very pleased with his performance today but I didn’t expect this four weeks ago.”

United will now take a two-week hiatus as international competition gets back underway. They next face Southampton on Saturday, 14 September, before a fixture against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

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