I am very happy that he is at Old Trafford. He would make my job at Old Trafford easier because he is a top class player” – Ruben Amorim expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with a Manchester United standout, revealing his excitement about working with the player. The former Sporting CP manager subtly hinted at his future intentions, suggesting he has specific plans in mind for the player’s role at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim is “thrilled” to reunite with former Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United after losing him last year.
As he readies to transition to English football, Amorim has spoken publicly about one of his new players for the first time, ahead of his move from Lisbon on Monday.
Amorim will lead Sporting in one final match on Sunday against Braga in the Primeira Liga. On the same day, Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to conclude his stint as United’s interim manager in their game against Leicester City.
Acknowledging his departure from Sporting during a significant title defense, Amorim has been cautious in discussing his future at United, out of respect for Sporting and the Lisbon fans, and has kept the focus on his final days at Jose Alvalade Stadium.
However, before the Braga match, Amorim expressed his anticipation to work with Ugarte, who previously thrived under his management, making 85 appearances before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in a £51 million deal last summer. Ugarte has now made a £42 million move to Manchester United and is gradually finding his rhythm in English football.
Ahead of their reunion, Amorim praised Ugarte’s talent and growth potential, noting that having the midfielder back would be invaluable as he prepares to implement a fresh playing philosophy at United.
In an interview with TNT Sports Mexico, Amorim shared, “All the Uruguayans I’ve managed have been remarkable, and Ugarte is an immensely talented player with a lot of potential. I’m thrilled to have him back with me at Manchester United!”
Amorim faces a challenging task adapting United’s current squad to his preferred 3-4-3 system, which has helped Sporting become one of Europe’s highest-scoring teams. Ugarte’s familiarity with Amorim’s style could make him an essential part of the transition.
With increasing minutes under Erik ten Hag, Ugarte has already started to find his footing, and he’s likely to continue growing in importance under Amorim, potentially forming a lasting midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo.
Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Manchester United, set to officially begin after his final match with Sporting, marks a significant change in the club’s direction. His reunion with Manuel Ugarte could be crucial, as Amorim highly values Ugarte’s skills, experience, and familiarity with his system. Amorim’s anticipated 3-4-3 formation will demand versatility and tactical awareness from the squad, and Ugarte’s understanding of Amorim’s style could position him as a central figure in this adaptation. His partnership with rising star Kobbie Mainoo could give United a dynamic midfield duo, blending Ugarte’s defensive solidity with Mainoo’s creative play.
While Amorim is respectful of his role at Sporting and cautious about public discussions regarding United, his enthusiasm to work with Ugarte and the rest of the squad suggests he’s eager to bring a fresh philosophy to Old Trafford. Known for making Sporting one of Europe’s highest-scoring teams, Amorim’s attacking approach could be transformative for United, particularly with Ugarte’s capabilities anchoring the midfield in the English game.
