Ruben Amorim has been tipped to recall Manuel Ugarte to the starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.The midfielder featured for only five minutes of Manchester United’s win over Sunderland p...
Ruben Amorim has been tipped to recall Manuel Ugarte to the starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
The midfielder featured for only five minutes of Manchester United’s win over Sunderland prior to the international break.
Manuel Ugarte: The state of play
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Prior to that, Ugarte was given the nod in two of the side’s three losses this season, being deployed from the off against both Manchester City and Brentford, while he was an unused substitute against Burnley.
Since signing from Paris Saint-Germain in a £50.5 million deal last summer, the Uruguayan has received mixed reviews from supporters, with a large percentage claiming he has yet to reach the levels expected of him in the Premier League.
As such, starting him at Anfield would be seen as something of a risky move from Amorim, so why is he considering it?
Why Ugarte is expected to return to the XI vs Liverpool
(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Well, as confirmed by numerous outlets on Thursday, Casemiro was among a handful of Reds to have been granted an extra day of rest following their returns from international duty.
Seven #mufc players were absent from training but only three believed to be injury/fitness-related https://t.co/QGFFV41psN
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 16, 2025
The Brazil veteran played the full 90 minutes in his nation’s double-header of friendlies against both South Korea and Japan, prompting speculation he might drop to the bench this weekend.
Ugarte was also named on the teamsheet in place of Casemiro the last time the 33-year-old had represented his nation in South America.
Meanwhile, Ugarte was not utilised at all by Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa over the last fortnight, meaning he’ll be feeling fresh and ready to go when club action resumes.
When put on the spot regarding Amorim’s true feelings on Ugarte, whom he also coached during his time in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Ben Jacobs told The United Stand: “I’m told that Ruben Amorim really likes Manuel Ugarte and thinks he’s exactly the right kind of profile, and just needs to get that extra bit out of him.”
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