'Hugely impressed': Carrick blown away by what £42m Man Utd man is doing in training

Manchester United ace Manuel Ugarte has endured a tough spell at Old Trafford.

Ugarte moved to Manchester from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for an initial fee of £42 million.

Now in his second Premier League campaign, the expectations bar was raised but the Uruguayan has struggled to consistently justify the investment.

The 24-year-old has yet to start a game under head coach Michael Carrick.

Ahead of the game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Carrick was asked what Ugarte must do to force his way into contention.

The United manager replied (via ManUtd.com): “I like him a lot, he’s been terrific around the group and I’m hugely impressed with his attitude and how he goes about it and his training qualities. He’s got a lot of good attributes.

“He’s doing everything he can in training and he’s a big part of the group, so it’s a case of results and the boys playing so well.

“There’s going to be times we might need to change things and freshen things up and certainly he’s a big part of that.”

Ugarte unlikely to start vs Palace

The former Sporting CP enforcer is a combative ball-winner and is admired for his willingness to engage in duels.

His most productive spell in a United shirt came between December and January, when injuries to Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount handed him a sustained run in the side.

While far from a liability, he has often appeared a step off the relentless tempo that defines the Premier League.

Ugarte has a tendency to leave his position and press higher up the pitch.

A quick transition can slice through midfield lines and expose the defence to sustained pressure.

It is no surprise that his strongest performances came when Casemiro was playing alongside him.

Carrick’s comments suggest that Ugarte is likely to begin on the bench again against Palace.

However, a midweek fixture against Newcastle United could present him with a long-awaited opportunity to make his first start under the current manager.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .