January 5th 2025.
Manchester United made a strong impression as they walked away with a well-deserved point from their highly-anticipated match against league leaders Liverpool. The game was full of excitement and drama, with both teams showcasing their best skills on the field. But one player, in particular, caught the attention of everyone - Manuel Ugarte.
Even United legend Paul Scholes was taken aback by the young midfielder's performance. He admitted that Ugarte had surprised him with his quality on the ball, praising his ability to control the game and make precise passes. It was clear that Ugarte's presence on the field was a game-changer for United.
Ugarte's performance was arguably his best yet in a United shirt, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Ruben Amorim's side was facing a tough challenge against Liverpool, but Ugarte's exceptional showing helped them secure a valuable point. United even had a golden opportunity to seal an unlikely victory in stoppage time, but unfortunately, Harry Maguire missed the target from a close range.
The first half of the game was goalless, but Lisandro Martinez changed the atmosphere with an emphatic strike that sent United's away supporters into a frenzy. However, Liverpool quickly equalized through Cody Gakpo, setting the stage for an intense battle between the two teams. Mohamed Salah's penalty put Liverpool ahead, but United refused to back down, and Amad Diallo equalized with a brilliant goal of his own.
Ugarte's absence in United's previous game against Newcastle due to suspension was felt by many, but Amorim made sure to include him in the starting lineup for the match against Liverpool. The Uruguayan repaid his manager's faith with a standout performance against the formidable Liverpool midfield, consisting of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones.
Scholes believes that Ugarte has now become a crucial part of Amorim's first-choice lineup, along with other talented players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo, in particular, has impressed Scholes and he believes that once he is fully fit, he will be the perfect partner for Ugarte in the midfield. The former United player also highlighted the importance of partnerships on the field and how they can make a difference in a team's performance.
Looking back at Ugarte's start at Old Trafford, Scholes admits that he has exceeded his expectations. Amorim had previously worked with Ugarte at Sporting Lisbon, and it was clear that he had a lot of faith in the young midfielder. Scholes was impressed by Ugarte's confidence and composure on the field, and he believes that he is the perfect partner for another midfielder in United's lineup.
Scholes was also impressed by the spirit and togetherness shown by United's players in the game against Liverpool. He believes that their performance should be used as a blueprint for future games and hopes that they continue to play with the same level of determination and teamwork. The ex-United and England midfielder believes that this is close to Amorim's strongest lineup, and with a few adjustments, they can dominate the field and achieve great results.
The draw against Liverpool saw United rise to 13th place in the Premier League table, and Scholes sees this as a positive sign for the team's future. He believes that this should be the standard of play for the team going forward, and he has faith in them to maintain this level of performance in the games to come. Scholes also emphasized the importance of consistency and believes that as long as the players continue to perform at their best, there is no reason why they can't achieve great things.
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