Manuel Ugarte, a midfielder for Manchester United, has had a challenging start to the season.
The Uruguayan, who had a stellar reputation when he joined the Red Devils from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, has lost favor this season.
Under manager Ruben Amorim, the 24-year-old has played fewer than 50 minutes off the bench in the Premier League.
He was replaced at halftime after starting the shocking Carabao Cup second-round loss to Grimsby Town.
Ugarte was an unutilized substitute against Burnley last weekend and has been Casemiro’s backup at number six.
After Amorim disregarded him, his problems have persisted while he is on international assignment.
With Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of him, the former PSG player has frequently played as a defensive midfielder for Uruguay.
But Marcelo Bielsa, the head coach, had other ideas for Thursday night’s World Cup qualifying match against Peru.
Giorgian de Arascaeta was selected to play in an advanced position, while Bentancur and Valverde began in center midfield.
At the Estadio Centenario, Uruguay defeated Peru 3-0, with De Arrascaeta scoring the game’s second goal.
Only in the 69th minute did Ugarte enter the game as a substitute. Despite completing 92% of his passes, he failed to win any ground duels (0/2).
He was dribbled past once and lost possession three times.
Ugarte is going through a tough phase at club level, but that has now translated to his country too. He does not appear a guaranteed starter under Bielsa.
Uruguay face Chile on the road in their next World Cup qualifier on September 9. It remains to be seen whether Ugarte will be reinstated into the first XI.
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