Thierry Henry didn’t hold back after the final whistle, delivering a passionate on-air critique that has since gone viral. The Arsenal legend tore into Manchester United’s setup, directing most of his frustration at midfielder Manuel Ugarte and manager Rúben Amorim.
“You can’t play football in this league like that!” Henry fumed. “Tottenham’s intensity completely exposed Ugarte. I told Amorim not to start him — he didn’t listen, and now you’ve seen the result. He was a liability out there.”
Henry made it clear that this wasn’t just an isolated bad night for the Uruguayan. “It’s a recurring problem. Whenever the tempo is high, he struggles. You could see it from the first few minutes — he looked lost. Amorim’s decision to play him is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable.”
Those remarks have sparked intense debate among pundits and fans, with many now questioning Amorim’s tactical awareness as United prepare for an even tougher run of fixtures.
Ugarte’s performance, statistically and visually, was disastrous. Analysts rated him a 2/10 — the lowest of any player on the pitch. Reports from inside the club revealed that even members of United’s backroom staff admitted he “looked completely out of place,” especially during the first half when Tottenham dominated possession and tempo.
The backlash was instant. Social media exploded with angry reactions, echoing Henry’s frustration. Fans flooded X and Reddit threads, urging Amorim to drop Ugarte from the starting lineup, with some even calling for a complete reshuffle of the midfield.
Sources close to the team claimed that tension ran high in the dressing room after the match, with several players reportedly unhappy about the tactical choices. Henry summed up the mood perfectly: “I’ve seen teams collapse because of poor decisions before. This wasn’t just bad luck — it was bad judgment, and it hurt the whole squad.”
Tottenham’s relentless pressing from kickoff proved too much for Ugarte, who couldn’t cope with the speed or pressure of the game. Henry explained that the midfielder’s struggle under such conditions directly led to Tottenham’s key goals. “He’s not built for this type of football yet,” Henry concluded. “High pace, high pressure — he broke down, and it cost United dearly.”
Match statistics reflected just how rough the night was for Ugarte: only 68% pass accuracy compared to the team’s 82%, just 4 of 12 duels won, and only two successful tackles all game. His 2/10 rating told the full story — the worst player on the pitch by a mile.
