Manuel Ugarte: There is no team like United

Those are Manuel Ugarte’s words in the latest edition of Inside United. What more could you want to hear from a summer signing?

The extensive interview covers Manuel’s childhood, making his debut as the youngest player in Uruguay, moving to Europe during a pandemic and becoming friends with Kylian Mbappe. It also, of course, focuses on his move to United and what he’s made of the club so far.

His body language showed as much as his words in that regard. At times, Ugarte would look round for a brief glimpse of the Old Trafford pitch, still seemingly enamoured with a place he called “incredible.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise, really. This is a player who simply tweeted “FINALLY!!!!!!!” when the deal to join the Reds went through.

“Well, at first I was relaxed,” he explained. “Then, as the days passed I was desperate to get it done and join. Now I am here! It’s incredible.”

Ugarte emitted an authentic, natural passion throughout and discussed how such a drive and grit is instilled in Uruguayan kids from an early age through the South American nation’s ‘Baby Fútbol’ programme.

Many have previously attributed Uruguay’s footballing success — extraordinary given their small population of 3.4 million people — to the seriousness of youth football there.

“It teaches competition,” Ugarte explains as he casts his mind back to Saturday and Sunday mornings playing at his local park alongside his brother, watched on by their dad.

And a competitive streak is evident in Ugarte, who relished his first Old Trafford appearance, against Barnsley back in September, and every one since.

He’s gradually settled into life in English football, aided of late by Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder hailed their “good connection” after an impressive display together in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

“He is a great person,” Casemiro said of Ugarte.

It’s an intense pressure playing for United, one that’s replicated at hardly any other club in world football. Ugarte acknowledged as such — saying playing for United “carries with it a responsibility, and that is a great thing” — and he is adapting well to his new surroundings. No player has more tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season than him (5.5), Opta revealed on Monday.

The 23-year-old is still at an early point in an already successful career. Incredibly, he’s been playing senior football for eight years, having made his debut for Fenix in Uruguay at 15. Since, he’s won trophies with both Sporting and PSG and has his sights set on doing the same with United.

Slowly building a positive bank of performances, Ugarte will soon be reunited with his former manager, Ruben Amorim. The pair worked together in Lisbon. For an insight into the fighter who could be a core part of United’s midfield going forward, get your copy of Inside United now.

The club’s official magazine also features key insight into Amorim, an in-depth Q&A with United Women manager Marc Skinner, a behind-the-scenes look at the Under-19s' unique trip to Lithuania and much more this month. Get your copy here.