Michael Carrick Stands By Manuel Ugarte Following Gary Neville's Scathing Assessment
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has come to the defense of midfielder Manuel Ugarte after former Red Devils star Gary Neville delivered a harsh critique of the player's performances. The controversy emerged following United's disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United on Monday night, a match that saw Ugarte make his first start under Carrick's management.
Neville's Blunt Assessment of United's Midfield
Gary Neville did not hold back in his analysis of Ugarte's capabilities, describing the Uruguayan international as 'really limited on the ball' during his podcast appearance. The former United defender expressed particular concern about the midfield partnership of Ugarte and Casemiro, suggesting the combination was fundamentally flawed.
'When I saw the team, I wasn't sure about it,' Neville stated. 'Maybe it was the Ugarte-Casemiro partnership in midfield which Carrick probably feels he has to use because it is the two he has got and it is the hand he has been dealt. But it's not a partnership that is ever going to work.'
Neville went further, claiming that 'Ugarte has been well short since he came to the club' and emphasized that the midfielder needs a more technically gifted partner to compensate for his perceived limitations.
Carrick's Firm Defense of His Player
Despite the disappointing result against Leeds and Neville's criticism, Carrick offered a contrasting perspective on Ugarte's contribution to the match. The United manager specifically highlighted the midfielder's performance after Lisandro Martinez's red card forced the team to play with ten men for much of the game.
'No. No no,' Carrick responded when asked if he was concerned about Ugarte's form. 'I think when he's played since I've been here... whatever's gone on before has gone on before, it's not for me to comment on. Since I've come, when he's played and he's come on he's been fine.'
The manager elaborated on Ugarte's specific contributions against Leeds, noting that 'especially when we went down to 10 men, he was really important and he did a lot of covering for other players to be able to attack, so actually I thought he did well especially the longer the game went on.'
Ugarte's Challenging United Journey
The 25-year-old Uruguayan joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024 for a transfer fee of approximately £42 million. Despite the significant investment, Ugarte has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter under multiple managers including Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Michael Carrick.
Monday's match against Leeds represented Ugarte's first start for United in over two months, though he has remained active with the Uruguayan national team. The midfielder featured in Uruguay's recent draw against England in late March and has earned 36 international caps to date. He is expected to represent his country at the upcoming World Cup, where Uruguay will compete in a group alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.
Injury Opens Temporary Opportunity
Ugarte's inclusion in the starting lineup came as a result of an injury to promising young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Carrick explained that Mainoo had suffered a minor issue during training in the days leading up to the Leeds match, making his participation too risky.
'Over the last day or so, Kobbie just had an issue in training,' Carrick revealed. 'So it seems small but big enough to keep him out tonight. It wasn't worth the risk, to be honest, so we're hoping it's pretty small and it won't be too long.'
The manager emphasized that Ugarte had been preparing well for his opportunity, noting that 'Manu comes in tonight. He came on and did well for us in the last game at Bournemouth and went away and played well for Uruguay so he's well up to speed.'
Looking Ahead for United's Midfield
With Mainoo expected to return from his minor injury soon, Ugarte's time in the starting lineup may prove temporary. However, Carrick's public defense suggests the manager values the Uruguayan's contributions and sees potential in his abilities despite the criticism from club legends and disappointing team results.
The debate over United's midfield composition continues as the team navigates a challenging period, with Carrick facing difficult selection decisions and balancing the expectations of club legends with his own assessment of player capabilities. The manager's willingness to publicly defend Ugarte indicates his commitment to supporting players through difficult periods and maintaining squad morale despite external criticism.
