Manuel Ugarte warns Erik ten Hag about his position at Manchester United
Manuel Ugarte joined Manchester United from PSG in the summer
Manuel Ugarte has sent a clear message to Erik ten Hag, as speculation arises that the Manchester United manager may consider implementing the midfielder’s recent positional switch at Old Trafford.
The former PSG star has made a steady start to life in Manchester following his £51 million move from Paris in the summer.
He has started just one of the Red Devils’ last four league matches.
However, Ugarte’s adaptation to English football has not been helped by United’s poor form.
Ten Hag’s side currently sit 14th in the Premier League with just eight points from their first seven games.
During the recent international break, Ugarte was deployed in an unfamiliar role as part of a back three for Uruguay in their 1-0 defeat to Peru.
Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical decision clearly did not sit well with the combative midfielder, who expressed that he does not believe he possesses the necessary skillset to thrive in a defensive role long-term.
“It was not a good match,” Manuel Ugarte told ESPN.
“We did not play well, it was a shame because I still believe that we are much better, but the match was ugly for us.
“The dressing room was strong before the match, the atmosphere was nice, but little by little we faded and we did not show good things in the match.
“Everyone can play and has the conditions to do so, but many times, when changing players it takes a little [time] to adapt. It is not an excuse either, the team’s performance dropped.
“We need to go deeper, as we saw against Peru, we have to keep working.
“Honestly, I felt good with the ball, but I lack certain things as a defender.
“These are things that always enrich a player.”
Erik ten Hag is unlikely to field the midfielder in defence, especially after Manchester United’s summer signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
Yoro, however, is yet to make his debut for the club due to an injury sustained in pre-season.
Manuel Ugarte’s only start for United came in a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham last month, where he partnered Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
United’s game plan unraveled after Bruno Fernandes was sent off, but weaknesses in their system were already exposed before the dismissal.
United will be back in action on Saturday when they host Brentford at Old Trafford, followed by a crucial European clash against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, as they search for their first win in Europe this season.
Ten Hag continues to face mounting pressure due to the poor start, with recent reports linking former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzić as a potential replacement.
Read more: Piotr Zielinski reveals how Liverpool move fell through despite meeting Jurgen Klopp
Why Nigeria are set to boycott Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
