MANUEL UGARTE has destroyed fears regarding his fitness after his incredible performance for Uruguay.
Erik ten Hag previously claimed that the £50.8million midfielder may need time to get up to speed to start in the first team.
Despite being drafted into the starting lineup by head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Ugarte showed no signs of rust during Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay.
The 23-year-old produced an impressive display in the World Cup qualifier before being subbed off in the 79th minute after completing 52 passes and winning 12 duels across the clash.
Bielsa praised the “great” Ugarte and explained that his ability to recover the ball was something that the fans “celebrated the most”.
He told reporters: “We had players with a great ability to recover the ball.
“In fact, I think this is what the fans celebrated the most; the number of balls recovered by our two full-backs and Ugarte.”
And after the match, Ugarte revealed his readiness to dive into action with Ten Hag’s squad.
Ugarte said: “I’m very happy, very hungry and very excited,’ Ugarte said shortly after wrapping up his move.
“I feel very good, I have prepared myself. The truth is that I haven’t played many minutes since the season began, but physically I feel very good.”
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United have had a disappointing start to the season, securing only one win from their first three Premier League matches.
Following Ugarte’s performance, Ten Hag will be relieved that the player’s fitness is not a concern.
The Dutchman claimed last week that it might take “a couple of weeks, maybe even months” to “build him into the team.”
By PHIL THOMAS
NEARLY two decades have passed since Roy Keane led Manchester United into battle for the final time.
It left a gap in the engine room that the Red Devils have never really come close to filling in the 19 years that have followed.
Many tried and some managed it in flashes and, although the trophies still rolled in for a time, there was no snarling, bring-it-on warrior prowling the midfield.
Until now… until the imminent capture of a man who views a 50-50 challenge like a starving Labrador staring at a side of ham.
For three months, United have licked their own lips at the prospect of a midfield marshalled by Uruguayan tough guy Manuel Ugarte.
Finally, they have their man.
Ugarte is pretty much a ball-winner pure and simple.
Rarely will you see him pinging 40-yard passes to split a defence.
But ending his days with half the reputation of Keane and a fraction of his silverware would still mean a hell of a career.
