Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte struggled after arriving £50 million from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but he decided that his second Manchester United season would be better
Manuel Ugarte vowed to show that Manchester United was worth the £50 million fee that he paid him.
Signed by Paris Saint Germain a year ago, Ugarte endured a tough first season as United finished 15th. The Uruguayan star was United’s unused sub for the last two games of the season, unable to deliver his huge transfer fees and including the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
However, Ugarte was impressed with United’s 2-1 victory over West Ham in the opening game of his US tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The 24-year-old scored highs, regularly gained ownership and did an excellent run to set Amado on goals that were eventually ruled out on offside.
For Ugarte, it was a pre-season start. This suggests that he could start at United’s midfield in the season opener at Arsenal’s home on August 17th.
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Ugarte was asked if he would start a new season with more confidence. “Undoubtedly, I know my rivals, I know my teammates (better). This is all important. Sometimes connections take time to get to know each other.
“I already know the league, the rivals, that’s important. So I’m very happy, but we have to keep going.
“Last year we made some changes, we changed coaches, we changed formations, we got to know the Premier League.
“I’m doing well this year. I’m very excited. It’s important to work well at United. When you play for United, you have to take responsibility. I’m very happy and I have to continue.
“We’re all working together, so we’re very optimistic. We’re humbled every day, and we’re trying to be humbled by game. We’re going to see this season.
“We definitely have to improve things. We are all very motivated. We believe in our coaches, so we believe in what he wants, and that’s very important.”
Ugarte said United’s new signatures, Mateus Cuña, Brian Mbeumo and young defender Diego Leon, will settle in Cunha and Mbeumo and improve their team with proven quality in the Premier League.
“The three players that came are all very good people and good players,” Ugarte said. “It’s important that everyone is in the dressing room together, we have to continue.
“We won (against West Ham), which was important, but there’s a lot to improve, so we’re continuing to work. There are more games to play, but I think it’s important to be humble.
“We have to work during the day. We played well in the middle, controlled the ball, had the ball, scored, and recovered well. We all have a lot of optimism in the team.”
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