71% duels lost, 3 fouls: £39m Man Utd star's struggles continue on Int'l duty, won't start vs Man City

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte played 90 minutes of Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against Chile on the road last night.

The 24-year-old was a late substitute in the recent victory over Peru, but he got the nod in the number six role for the final qualifier.

Ugarte was tidy with a pass completion rate of 90 percent. However, he was still ineffective in providing control, losing regular duels.

The United ace won just two out of seven duels contested. He lost 71 percent of his duels.

Ugarte made five clearances and four recoveries, but also committed three fouls.

He lost possession six times against Chile, who finished bottom of the World Cup qualifying group with just 11 points from 18 games.

The £39 million-rated star has been struggling with low confidence this campaign. He has played just 46 minutes from the bench in the Premier League.

Ugarte was substituted at the halfway stage of the shock Carabao Cup second round defeat to Grimsby Town on penalties last month.

Manager Ruben Amorim did not fancy him against Burnley, where he was an unused substitute. Kobbie Mainoo was preferred over him.

In our view, Ugarte has not improved his prospects after his showing against Chile and could be on the bench again at the Etihad Stadium.

United take on arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday. It looks like Casemiro will partner either Bruno Fernandes or Mainoo in the centre of the park.

Fernandes could play higher up if Matheus Cunha is not deemed fit to start after his minor hamstring injury against the Clarets prior to the break.

Casemiro returned early from international duty after he was suspended for Brazil’s game against Bolivia. He is poised to start in the number six role ahead of Ugarte.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com, Sofascore.com & Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .