The striker of Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund, named the teammate, of whom he believes that he is the most underestimated in Old Trafford – Central midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The Red Devils endure another challenging season, although a change in management cannot deliver a turnaround in the results. Head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that the rest of the 2024/25 campaign will be “painful”, although the 2-1 victory on Friday evening against Leicester City in the fourth FA Cup round offers a temporary break.
Hojlund’s individual campaign was also a challenge. The 22-year-old, who was signed in a deal worth 72 million GBP in July 2023, scored only two goals from the Premier League in 19 games and lost his place as a guaranteed starter in advance.
The dane is now 14 games without a goal in all competitions, and there was even talking about a potential exit in January when the transfer window was open. There were no offers, but Hojlund has to begin to find the back of the network if he is supposed to convince Amorim that he plays a role to play in the long term.
In an interview with Sky SportHojlund was on the spot, over which his United teammates do not receive the recognition that they deserve, and it did not take long for him to call Ugarte, who last summer of Ligue 1 Giants Paris Saint-Germain as a player who joined Has when the player WHO goes the most under the radar.
“I think you’ve seen it a little more when the new manager comes in, how well he works,” said Hojlund. “Obviously, the results were not good enough, but he has been an outstanding player lately. You see his quality, you see these work horses in teams, they don’t get the appreciation.
“For example Amad [Diallo] Has made himself astonishing lately and he starts to get his recognition.
“But Manu was also very, very good. They now start to see that he will appear on a different level.”
Ugarte previously worked with Amorim at Sporting CP and spent two seasons in Portugal before going to PSG in June 2023. close 50 million GBP including potential add-ons.
The 23-year-old is now the first choice in midfield by United, usually partner Kobbie Mainoo or Bruno Fernandes, and has taken on the role of the defensive midfield of Casemiro.