One of Rúben Amorim’s starters has been fired a warning shot by a former Manchester United Academy graduate following the club’s loss against Grimsby Town.
Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in the second round after losing a dramatic penalty shootout to Grimsby Town.
The home side struck first through Charles Vernam’s fierce effort, before ex-United trialist Tyrell Warren added a second following a mistake from André Onana.
In the second half, Rúben Amorim turned to his bench, with Bryan Mbeumo pulling one back from a Kobbie Mainoo assist and Harry Maguire heading in Mason Mount’s corner to level late on.
But after a marathon 26-penalty shootout, misses from Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo sealed United’s shock elimination.
Ugarte sent warning shot after Grimsby display
After Casemiro started United’s first two fixtures as the club’s defensive midfielder, Manuel Ugarte was handed the role, with Mainoo alongside him as Bruno Fernandes was rested.
There has been considerable discourse surrounding Ugarte since he signed for United for a total package of around £50 million, with this discussion intensified after Amorim chose to play him over Mainoo in the two fixtures before the Grimsby fixture.
Amid this, former United defender and Academy graduate Demitri Mitchell has taken to social media to weigh in on United’s current misfortunes, lambasting the club for selling or benching Academy talents only to replace them with £50 million players who are no better.
People think I’m bitter and enjoy seeing United lose,” Mitchell posted on X. “Truth is, I wasn’t good enough to make it there and I’m an Arsenal fan anyway, so I’m not arsed.
“My issue is United and their fans push out academy lads because they’re not yet prime Rooney at 20 years old but they’re clearly better than the £50m signings they replace them with.
“Not every academy player is a starter, but many love the club enough to accept a role and still deliver when injuries arise or rotations needed. Think Phil Neville, Fletcher, Welbeck, Cleverly, even McTominay, but you guys pushed him out too.
“Harvey Elliott at Liverpool is a great example, probably never a regular starter, but he knows his role, adds quality, and when they find a replacement, he’ll move on.”
Ugarte on his final legs at United
Ugarte’s “awful” display against Grimsby has raised the argument that he may have to be sold sooner rather than later.
After joining United last summer, many were initially excited to see the Uruguayan international play, with United sorely missing a tenacious defensive midfielder who could cover high volumes of ground.
Although the 24-year-old had some good performances to his name toward the back end of 2024, it quickly became apparent that his on-the-ball abilities were not sufficient to survive in the Premier League.
Over the course of the last year, his duelling has also seemed to decline. Against Grimsby, he crashed into Mainoo amid fighting for the ball in the middle of the park, and this loss of possession led to the opening goal.
After only 12 months at United, it looks as if the investment in Ugarte has gone completely arway, with United once again in the market for another midfilder.
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