In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool, manager Erik ten Hag admitted that it may take “months” for Manuel Ugarte to reach full speed after his recent transfer to the Red Devils.
After much speculation and negotiations, Ugarte was officially announced as United’s final summer signing on transfer deadline day. The Uruguay international joined the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, and Joshua Zirkzee at Old Trafford, following a single season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite not featuring in PSG’s early matches of the season due to transfer rumors, Ugarte was a regular starter under manager Luis Enrique last season and was a key player for Uruguay in the Copa America. However, he was not eligible to make his debut against Liverpool as he was not registered by the required deadline.
In the absence of Ugarte, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo formed the midfield partnership against Liverpool, but Casemiro’s mistakes led to goals from Luis Diaz. Ten Hag made adjustments at halftime by bringing on Toby Collyer, but Liverpool ultimately secured the win with Mohamed Salah’s goal.
Reflecting on the defeat, Ten Hag referenced Harry Potter when discussing his team’s fitness levels and the integration of new players like Ugarte. He acknowledged that it would take time for Ugarte to reach his peak performance level, possibly spanning over several weeks or even months.
Despite the recent setbacks, Ten Hag expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities and their chances of winning silverware in the future. He praised the development of players like Zirkzee and highlighted the progress of other young talents in the squad, emphasizing the need for improvement to compete with top teams like Liverpool.
Looking ahead, Ten Hag remained optimistic about United’s prospects and reiterated his belief that the team can challenge for trophies in the coming seasons, aiming to close the gap with their rivals and make a strong comeback.