‘He knows better than anyone' – Ruben Amorim sends clear message to one Man United star

Ruben Amorim has warned Manuel Ugarte that his spot in the Manchester United line-up is not guaranteed just because they worked together in the past.

Amorim bid farewell to Sporting CP with a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory away at Braga on Sunday, hot on the heels of the shock 4-1 drubbing of Manchester City. The two-time Portuguese Primeira Liga winner is set to arrive in Manchester on Monday (November 11), but will be forced to wait before getting onto the training pitch due to work permit issues.

With plans to implement a fresh 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, the 39-year-old will cross paths again with Ugarte, having previously coached the Uruguayan at Sporting from 2021 to 2023.

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But while Amorim spoke glowingly of Ugarte in a recent interview, he stated the midfielder “knows better than anyone” that he still needs to fight for his place in the team, like any other Red Devils star.

Amorim told TNT Sports: "First of all, all the Uruguayans I've managed are incredible and that's why I love all Uruguayans. Ugarte is a very talented kid, he has a lot of room to grow, and he was one of the funniest players I've ever coached."

He confirmed that the former Fenix star will not have any special status, adding: "I was very happy to know I would find him back at Manchester United, but he knows better than anyone that for me all players are equal, so I was very happy, but he is still going to have to work hard."

Ugarte only started two matches under the recently sacked Erik ten Hag since his £42million transfer from Paris Saint Germain on deadline day. The 23-year-old had joined the Ligue 1 giants just a year prior from Sporting for £51m, but he failed to impress manager Luis Enrique.

He has not exactly set Old Trafford ablaze with his performances either, having been signed as Casemiro’s successor only to find himself behind the aging Brazilian in the pecking order. However, Ugarte now appears to have found some form, enjoying a run of four consecutive starts under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

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