The spoils were shared between the two arch-rivals yesterday. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The sheer tediousness of Sunday’s lacklustre Manchester derby led to several players coming under the microscope for their performances.
Manchester United-wise, it only highlighted how the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro put in scintillating displays when up against what was previously considered the best team in Europe – albeit when Erling Haaland was fit and firing.
On the other hand, though, Reds such as Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte have received their fair share of criticism for overseeing subpar showings. Particularly the latter, with whom the jury is still out following his deadline-day move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Ugarte has struggled to really make a lasting and commanding impact in the midfield – unlike Casemiro in his maiden top-flight campaign. That being said, the two arrived in considerably different circumstances, given the five-time Champions League-winning Brazilian took to Manchester to spend his senior years plying his trade in the Premier League.
Why Ugarte had to do better vs City
As for the ex-PSG star, he has previously enjoyed spells in his native Uruguay with Fenix and Portugal with Famalicao and Sporting Lisbon, where he played under Ruben Amorim before moving to France for just one season.
He was deployed from the off alongside Casemiro for yesterday’s clash and proceeded to endure a shift to forget. As per Sofascore, he won only two of his six ground duels attempted and lost possession seven times. Ugarte made two fouls and was dribbled past once.
What’s more, the Uruguayan international completed only four forward passes in the entire 71 minutes he was on the pitch, with three attempted forward passes unsuccessful.
While his job is ultimately to provide coverage to the backline, contributing more in attack and at least getting the ball further afield are non-negotiables from your midfielders – and it’s something Amorim may have to hammer into him ahead of such season-defining fixtures.
