Manuel Ugarte has just made Ruben Amorim admission Manchester United squad will love

Manuel Ugarte has outlined the role Ruben Amorim played in helping him to thrive at Sporting CP, in what is an encouraging message for his new Manchester United teammates.

Summer signing Ugarte only spent two seasons in Lisbon before being snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. The Uruguay star made 85 appearances under Amorim, more than any other coach across his senior career.

That speaks to his rapid journey through Europe, having only spent eight months at Portuguese rivals Famalicao, after signing from native club CA Fenix in 2021, before being captured by Sporting. He also only spent a season at PSG before United came calling.

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The 23-year-old stabilised his form under departed interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy after a shaky start to life at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag. He will hope to reprise the confidence he enjoyed while playing under Amorim in Portugal once more.

Reflecting on his time at Sporting under Amorim, Ugarte told club media: “[The transfer] was so fast! I arrived in January [to sign for Famalicao] and, in June, I was leaving for Sporting.

“It’s one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and I was very proud. I enjoyed my time at Famalicao and also at Sporting. Lisbon is amazing - the city, the people, the club, my team-mates. Everything.

“It is a warm place that treats you well and you make lots of friends. That helped me be successful. I felt comfortable. We had a great coach [Amorim] who helped me a lot, too.”

Having started just one Premier League match under Ten Hag, Ugarte began both league games Van Nistelrooy presided over. He completed a full 90 minutes for the first time in the competition during the 3-0 win over Leicester City before the international break.

He will hope for similar usage under Amorim, for whom he became an important figure during his time at Sporting. Out of his 85 outings under the coach, 61 of them were starts.