Gym sessions, Cavani chats and more – how Manuel Ugarte is making his mark at Manchester United

Manchester: So, have you heard about Manuel Ugarte? He’s been making quite the impression at Manchester United lately. There was this photo of him at Stockport Station that got people talking. He was caught giving the middle finger to photographers, and folks jumped to conclusions.

But here’s the scoop: it turns out he was reacting to autograph hunters bothering the players, not the photographer. The staff at United have noticed how annoying these autograph seekers can be. They’re always lurking around, trying to get signed shirts and whatnot.

These autograph hunters can be relentless. They’ve even followed players home! Can you believe someone rang Sir Alex Ferguson’s doorbell? Crazy, right? And they were hanging around when Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were leaving dinner. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Then there’s Mason Mount, who had his own run-in with these fans. He was filmed turning down requests and ended up looking like the bad guy. Ugarte, on the other hand, was a bit more direct with his response.

Erik ten Hag, the manager, has been keen on players who bring that fighting spirit, like Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro. Ugarte is stepping into that role now. He’s been consistent under Ruben Amorim, who coached him before at Sporting. It’s no wonder he’s fitting in well.

Interestingly, Ten Hag wasn’t initially sold on Ugarte, but Dan Ashworth, the former sporting director, was. He had his eye on Ugarte while also considering other players. Ugarte’s signing was a bit of a last-minute deal, but he’s proving his worth.

He was introduced to the fans just before a match against Liverpool, and even though he didn’t play that day, his presence was felt. At Anfield, he managed to avoid a yellow card for a risky tackle, which was a relief. He’s been showing his skills and helping the team hold their ground.

Ugarte’s been a key player in recent matches, and fans are starting to notice. After a recent game, he was celebrated by supporters, and he’s formed a close bond with Martinez. They’re often seen together, sharing Mate tea and driving to training.

Ugarte’s English is getting better, too. He’s been working on it since joining United, wanting to break that language barrier. Plus, he had some good advice from Edinson Cavani, who was his roommate on international duty.

He’s been putting in extra gym sessions after training, showing his commitment. Ugarte’s dad played semi-professionally, so he’s always had that competitive spirit. It’s clear he’s dedicated to improving and making a name for himself at United.

With Amorim now at the helm, Ugarte is excited about the future. He’s been sharing stories about another coach, Marcelo Bielsa, and it seems like he’s becoming a go-to guy for his teammates. Ugarte’s journey at Manchester United is just getting started, and it’s going to be interesting to see where it leads.