Man United star Ugarte receive hair dryer treatment from Amorim

Tensions between Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim and midfielder Manuel Ugarte reportedly reached boiling point at the end of last season, with The Athletic revealing that Amorim singled out and criticized the Uruguayan in front of his teammates during a team meeting at Carrington.

According to the report, the confrontation took place just one day before United’s final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa, and just a few days after the team’s heartbreaking Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.

The timing and tone of Amorim’s comments are claimed to have raised eyebrows among several players, with the Portuguese coach accusing Ugarte of having “become too comfortable” since joining the club.

Man United have previously worked with Manuel Ugarte

This rebuke marked a major shift in Amorim’s approach towards Ugarte, a player with whom he had previously enjoyed great success during their time together at Sporting Lisbon.

When United secured the midfielder’s signature, many insiders predicted that Amorim would rebuild Ugarte’s confidence and form, especially given how much he contributed to Sporting’s title-winning side in the 2021-22 season.

However, Ugarte’s United career failed to take off. The 24-year-old has made just three appearances in all competitions this season, one of which came in a humiliating Carabao Cup second round loss to Grimsby Town.

Despite his tactical intelligence and ball-winning abilities, Ugarte has struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

Sources close to the club suggest that Amorim’s frustration stems not only from Ugarte’s performance on the pitch but also from what he sees as a decline in his intensity during training sessions.

The United boss has reportedly challenged his side to raise their professional standards following the Europa League disappointment, using Ugarte as an example of what he will not tolerate moving forward.

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Amorim took a no-nonsense approach at United

Amorim’s handling of the situation reflects his ruthless management style, something that has earned him both praise and criticism at Sporting.

He is known for demanding high energy, discipline and complete focus from his players.

However, his public criticism of Ugarte could indicate growing tension behind the scenes as he continues to mold the team in his image.

It is understood that the midfielder himself is keen to stay and fight for his place, but his path back into Amorim’s starting line-up will require a major shift in form and behaviour.

Contacted: Manchester United have a ‘concrete interest’ in the 23-year-old Premier League star