Casemiro and Fernandes missed Thursday’s team training as they returned from international duty. Additional time off was also given to Amado Cunha and Mateusz Cunha, but they were on individual treatment at Carrington.
However, the Sun claims Ugarte is in the first team and is being considered for a surprise start against Liverpool as a result.
The Uruguay international was not called up by manager Marcelo Bielsa to the experimental squad for matches against the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan, allowing him to put in some extra effort on the training pitch alongside Manchester’s Amorim.
Meanwhile, Casemiro played the entirety of Brazil’s two away matches against Japan and South Korea before returning to England.
Ugarte also made a rare start after the international break in September, when United were thrashed 3-0 by local rivals Manchester City. He played 80 minutes at the Etihad before Casemiro was brought on.
The 24-year-old’s only other starts this season were away defeats to Brentford and Grimsby Town.
Last month, Ugarte admitted he hadn’t started the season the way he wanted, but was determined to get back on track.
“The start of the season wasn’t very good,” he told El Observador. “My level wasn’t the best either, I have to be realistic and honest.
“But I’m very confident and my relationship with the coach is very good. I’m working well, I’m very excited and I want to earn a starting spot.”
During pre-season, Amorim admitted he has a role to play in helping Ugarte settle in Manchester.
“The first thing I have to do is adapt to a new team, a new country,” Amorim explained. “Sometimes you just look on the pitch, but off the pitch sometimes you get into trouble.
“He has adapted better, but then he needs more confidence. That’s my job too. If you look at last year, take Bruno (Fernandes) as an example, who is always confident, and if he didn’t perform well, look at the team and the team’s performance.”
“Today, when they’re confident in their game, everyone seems to feel confident touching the ball. It’s more about the team than the individual.”
