Nicky Butt Slams Manuel Ugarte as United Scrutiny Intensifies
Manchester United’s difficult season has taken another sharp turn in the spotlight, with club legend Nicky Butt delivering a blunt assessment of Manuel Ugarte and questioning whether the midfielder belongs at Old Trafford at all.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player has struggled to establish himself since his £50 million move last summer, and Butt believes Ugarte’s performances symbolise deeper issues in United’s recruitment strategy during a turbulent campaign.
Ugarte has made only seven Premier League starts so far and has failed to reproduce the form that made him a standout under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP. Despite that previous connection, the transition to English football has been uncomfortable, and his influence in midfield has remained limited under changing management at United.
The situation has unfolded at a delicate moment for the club. Michael Carrick is currently in interim charge, tasked with steadying a side sitting seventh in the table and facing a demanding run of fixtures. For Butt, Ugarte’s struggles are not isolated but part of a recurring pattern.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt was emphatic in his verdict. He said Ugarte was nowhere near the level required to play midfield for Manchester United and pointed to him as an example of repeated errors in the club’s transfer policy.
Ugarte himself acknowledged his difficulties earlier in the season, admitting in September that both the team and his individual performances had fallen short of expectations. He stressed his confidence and determination to fight for a regular starting role, but those words have yet to translate into consistent displays on the pitch.
The atmosphere around Old Trafford has reflected that frustration. Supporters have grown restless as United struggle for control in midfield, often appearing second best in key areas during tight matches. Ugarte was signed to bring energy, aggression, and balance, qualities that have not consistently surfaced in games.
Key incidents throughout the season have underlined those concerns. United have frequently been overrun centrally, with opponents finding space between the lines and dictating tempo. In matches where Ugarte featured, his expected strengths in tackling and ball recovery have rarely shifted momentum.
That lack of impact has fuelled wider debate, with Rio Ferdinand also voicing disappointment. The former United defender noted that the aggressive, mobile midfielder he had been told to expect has not appeared, and questioned whether Carrick can unlock more from the squad on an individual level.
Reports now suggest Ugarte could leave the club before the window closes. Galatasaray are considering a loan move that could include a permanent option valued at around €25 million, a stark potential drop from United’s initial investment just months ago.
As the season enters a decisive phase, United’s margin for error is slim. A derby clash with Manchester City is followed by a meeting with league leaders Arsenal, fixtures that will test both Carrick’s leadership and the squad’s resilience.
For Ugarte, the coming weeks may define his future in Manchester. For United, the scrutiny around recruitment and performance shows no sign of easing, with results on the pitch now carrying even greater weight.