October 30th 2024.
Manuel Ugarte was a prominent figure in the football world, having spent two successful seasons under Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon. However, recent news has revealed that he may soon be reunited with his former coach at Manchester United. The English club is reportedly close to signing Amorim, who is their top target to replace Erik ten Hag.
This potential move has sparked excitement among United fans, especially since their captain Bruno Fernandes has openly expressed his admiration for Amorim. Another person who is eagerly anticipating this reunion is summer signing Ugarte, who also played under Amorim at Sporting. The Uruguay international joined the club for a modest fee and was initially brought in as a cover for another player. However, Amorim's trust in him grew over time and he went on to solidify his place in the team.
In the summer of 2022, Ugarte's former teammate Joao Palhinha left the club, while Ugarte continued to excel. He was a key player in Sporting's impressive wins in the Champions League and even though they narrowly missed out on the knockout stages, Amorim had nothing but praise for his fighting spirit. However, after missing out on the Portuguese title, Ugarte said goodbye to Sporting and joined Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping £51 million.
Following his departure, Sporting signed another talented midfielder in the form of Morten Hjulmand, who had been on Amorim's radar for some time. While speaking about the differences between Ugarte and Hjulmand, Amorim openly mentioned some of the Uruguayan's deficiencies, such as his ability to read the game. He also expressed his love for players like Ugarte and Palhinha but hinted at a shift towards a more complete midfielder like Hjulmand.
Under Amorim's guidance, Sporting evolved and won their second title triumph in May. However, Ugarte's stint at United has not been as successful so far, with manager Ten Hag hesitant to use him. But with Amorim potentially taking over at United, there is hope for Ugarte to turn things around and showcase his potential in the Premier League. It remains to be seen how Amorim's arrival will impact United's midfield issues, but there is no doubt that he will bring his own unique ideas and approach to the team.
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