Ugarte reveals why his biggest problem under Carrick is quietly helping him

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has explained how his severe lack of playing time under Michael Carrick may actually be working in his favour.

Ugarte has struggled to have an impact at United since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024.

He was in and out of the team under now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim, while he has yet to start in any of the eight Premier League games that Carrick has taken charge of.

The Uruguayan has had to be content with off-the-bench cameos. There have been suggestions that United are open to offloading him in the upcoming window.

The Red Devils are planning a midfield overhaul and Ugarte could be sold to help fund this rebuild. Earlier this month, Fabrizio Romano reported that Serie A sides are keeping tabs on Ugarte’s situation ahead of a potential swoop.

The 24-year-old addressed his lack of game time at United during an interview with ESPN , putting a positive spin on the situation by suggesting it means he’ll be fresh and full of energy for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer.

Ugarte said, “This year is different because of the World Cup. I’m very excited, I’m really looking forward to it. I know I’m not playing, but I’m eager to get in shape. I’m always in shape, even when I’m not playing, but playing gives you a certain rhythm that you can only get that way.”

“You have to try to arrive in the best possible condition. Marcelo [Bielsa] always does a great job with preparation, like he did for the Copa América. I’m calm about that.”

“At the Copa América, I hadn’t been playing much at PSG and I felt very good in the tournament. It often happens that when the tournament is during the players’ holidays, many arrive mentally tired, and I’m so eager to play that I can’t wait. Physically, that’s something that can be fixed, and I always felt very good, ready to get into a rhythm and train.”

Ugarte described what it means to him to represent his country.

“It’s an honour”, he remarked. “The more you play abroad, the more you love the National Team . You connect with the players, with the people who work there, with the people of Uruguay. I’ve been a fan of the National Team since I was a kid; the 2010 World Cup marked me for life.”

“The more time I spend abroad, the more I love the National Team.”

On how he spends his time in Manchester off the field, Ugarte revealed, “The culture is very different. I’m very relaxed, I watch a lot of football, I spend a lot of time at home.”

“When I go somewhere else and remember what it’s like to have sunshine every day, it’s hard (laughs).”

“As a footballer, you always dream of going to Europe, which has its wonderful aspects, but Uruguay has something that no other country has.”

Asked whether he might return to Uruguay at some point in his career, he admitted that he hadn’t thought about it yet. The United star insisted that at the moment, his priority is to remain in Europe and continue playing at the highest possible level.

Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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