January 6th 2025.
According to reports, Arne Slot, who took over as the manager of Liverpool last summer, had the opportunity to sign Manchester United's midfielder, Manuel Ugarte. The player was offered to several clubs, including United and Liverpool, after falling out of favor at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the fact that PSG spent over £50 million to acquire Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon, they agreed to sell him at a loss just a year later.
Unfortunately, Ugarte has not had the best start to his career at Old Trafford, having only started in nine of Manchester United's 21 league games due to issues with form and fitness. Earlier in the season, Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness criticized his performances for United, with Souness even stating that he was not good enough for a team like United. Even Ugarte himself admitted that he has yet to reach his full potential in the Premier League and that it takes time to adapt to the best league in the world.
It was reported that Liverpool were interested in signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer, but after missing out on him, they were offered the chance to sign Ugarte. However, Slot decided against it and instead placed his trust in Ryan Gravenberch, who has emerged as one of the unexpected stars of the season. Gravenberch has started in all 19 of Liverpool's Premier League games and has even surprised Slot with his level of performances, according to Ian Wright.
Wright stated that Gravenberch's defensive work in a particular game was impressive, especially considering that he is not a natural defensive midfielder. He went on to say that Liverpool are known for going after their desired players and if they cannot get them, they will wait for the right opportunity instead of settling for the next available option.
While Ugarte may have struggled at United so far, he thrived under Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon. Gravenberch himself has admitted that he feels more comfortable playing under Slot than his former manager Jurgen Klopp. He mentioned that Slot gives him confidence and allows him to start in the lineup, which has helped him improve his performance on the field.
Despite some doubts from United fans, former assistant manager and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is confident that Ugarte will eventually prove himself at Old Trafford. He praised the player's specific qualities in midfield and believes he will be a great addition to the team in the long run. Van Nistelrooy also cautioned against expecting too much from a player who has only been with the club for a few months. He believes that with time, Ugarte will become an important player for United.
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