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Manchester United Fans Praise Manuel Ugarte’s Debut as New Signing Shines Against Southampton

Updated 16:16 14 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Published 14:31 14 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Manuel Ugarte made a notable debut for Manchester United on Saturday, contributing to their 3-0 victory over Southampton.

Following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break, United was eager for a win against the newly-promoted Southampton. Early concerns for the Red Devils arose when Southampton earned a penalty in the first half after Diogo Dalot fouled Tyler Dibling in the box. However, Southampton’s Cameron Archer missed the opportunity, with Andre Onana making a crucial save.

Minutes later, Matthijs de Ligt scored his first goal for United, giving them the lead. Marcus Rashford doubled the advantage before halftime, ending a 13-match goal drought. In the second half, United’s dominance continued, allowing manager Erik ten Hag to introduce Ugarte with 15 minutes left in the match.

Ugarte, who joined United for £42.2m from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, made a strong impression. Southampton’s situation worsened when Jack Stephens was sent off for a reckless tackle on Alejandro Garnacho, who then scored United’s third goal, sealing the win.

United fans were enthusiastic about Ugarte’s debut, sharing their positive feedback on social media. One fan noted, “Ugarte’s ability to win the ball in Southampton’s half is exactly why he’s in the team.” Another praised, “Ugarte will be a key player for us in midfield,” while a third fan commented, “Good start, Ugarte.”

One fan humorously suggested, “Is it too early to call Ugarte and [Kobbie] Mainoo the greatest midfield duo in Premier League history?”

Ugarte’s promising performance may prompt questions about Casemiro’s future, as he was benched for the match and only played the final three minutes. Ugarte could make his full debut when United face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with Premier League action resuming against Crystal Palace the following Saturday.