Manuel Ugarte had three options as he ran back into his own half with 39 seconds left on the clock and the ball bouncing from Virgil van Dijk’s stratospheric clearance. He could ferry possession safely to Andre Onana, he could put the ball into touch, or he could look to play a square pass to Amad, who was also retreating at speed.
Although each option varied slightly in risk, all were at the lower end of the scale. But Ugarte chose option four, which was not on the menu. It was a danger level far exceeding the usual course of action for a player in that position.
He hooked his foot round the ball at such an angle as to deliver it to Bruno Fernandes, who was in space on the right channel. In an instant defence turned into attack, like the meme of the old man who is bent over in apparent pain when threatened by a knife-carrying mugger. “Call an ambulance,” he groans, before standing to reveal a gun from his jacket. “But not for me.”
This was Ugarte priming United with some unexpected late weaponry.
He had been trailed by four Liverpool players, hunting for the kind of turnover they have claimed many times before, the atmosphere rising in expectation. Ugarte checked his shoulder though, saw Fernandes open and decided, with the game nearly done, to try a pass that might set up one final chance.
The ball curled through the eye of a needle in between Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, and behind Alexis Mac Allister, who was forced to spin on his heels. This ground had seen Mohamed Salah conjure a tightrope pass to set up Cody Gakpo against Manchester City and earn much acclaim, but Ugarte’s was just as good.
As we know, Fernandes slipped in Joshua Zirkzee who chose to square to Harry Maguire rather than shoot. Maguire got under the ball, missing his chance to claim the folklore status enjoyed by John O’Shea as a player to score an injury time winner at Anfield.
O’Shea’s goal helped win United the 2006-07 Premier League title, whereas Maguire finding the net would have delivered a memorable victory, but likely nothing more substantive. The long-term meaning to take from the passage of play is that Ugarte has a touch of devil and quality in him that is cause for encouragement.
It was his final act in a brilliant game as United’s midfield anchor. He provided a platform for a much more attacking performance by Ruben Amorim’s side than was expected.
Primarily that was through his anticipation of danger and tackling ability. He seemed to get a toe in for all 50/50s and find a United teammate. He won three out of four tackles — no Liverpool player made more than one — to enhance his overall record this season. He wins 2.47 tackles per 90 minutes, which places him fifth in the table for Premier League players with at least 450 minutes. (Casemiro, interestingly, is second on 2.79.)
Late in the first half Ugarte stole the ball off Curtis Jones high up with the help of Kobbie Mainoo, then had the strength to hold off his opponent and give it to Diogo Dalot. United retained possession until Mainoo passed back to Lisandro Martinez, whose straight ball put Rasmus Hojlund clear for a shot that was saved by Alisson.
Ugarte also put in a challenge on Mac Allister that gave United one minute of possession to see out the first half, he seemed to sense when his side needed to take the sting out of the game or get aggressive.
Ugarte’s defensive interventions had real impact, helping push United up the pitch and constrict Liverpool. He largely maintained a disciplined position in front of the back three, which gave those defenders reassurance to get forward if the moment struck. They knew Ugarte would back them up, which was the case when Martinez strode ahead to score his goal.
In the 63nd minute, Ugarte’s presence nearly gave Maguire a big chance. Again he was the deepest player at a United set piece, this time a Fernandes corner, and when the ball broke Trent Alexander-Arnold looked for Salah. Ugarte was positioned well and jabbed his foot so the ball rolled to Matthijs de Ligt, who nudged it to the wing for Fernandes.
Eventually the ball went to Noussair Mazraoui, who crossed with five United players in the box, including Maguire at the far post with Hojlund, Fernandes and Mainoo for a four on two. This time Ibrahima Konate got a crucial touch to deflect the ball out for another United corner.
Ugarte had other neat touches, notably when passing around Mac Allister to find Amad, who played in Fernandes for a crossing chance, although Hojlund was not on the same wavelength. When the ball bounced loose from a Luis Diaz burst into the box he touched it delicately to Mazraoui rather than boot it clear. That kind of composure amid the intensity spreads calm.
He had a pass rate of 87 per cent, bettered only by Amad among United starters. One of the few times he gave away possession was the clearance that went to Ryan Gravenberch, from which Cody Gakpo found the equaliser. Ugarte, having slid to try to stop Gakpo’s shot, wore the disappointment acutely.
Ugarte is easing into his United career. This was only his fourth 90 minutes of Premier League football, the others being the 3-0 win over Leicester, the 2-0 loss to Arsenal and the 2-1 victory at Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag’s caution over starting him earlier in the season was reflective of his desire to allow Ugarte to adjust to the rigours of English football. Certainly, in Ugarte’s first start against Tottenham, the pace of the game looked too much for him, especially when Micky van der Ven blasted past him to set up Brennan Johnson’s opening goal.
Ugarte was constantly involved at Anfield on Sunday (DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Ten Hag had needed convincing to sign Ugarte, because it was only financially possible through the sale of Scott McTominay, which he was reluctant to sanction. Ten Hag also liked the idea of Sofyan Amrabat returning.
But United took a long-term approach, signing a player who at 23 has many seasons ahead. There have been claims that the agent Jorge Mendes informed United that a deal for Ugarte would need to follow to clinch the Leny Yoro signing, with both players being his clients, although this is contested by others close to the club, speaking anonymously to protect relationships.
Whatever the case, this was the kind of display that will make United satisfied at agreeing a deal worth a potential £50.5million. As the one player in United’s squad who has worked with Amorim before, during two seasons at Sporting CP, Ugarte’s value in this system is obvious. Against Liverpool, he looked up to speed, at one point catching up to Salah at full sprint to win possession.
Ugarte missed United’s first game against Liverpool at Old Trafford, having been signed 48 hours earlier on deadline day. He was presented to the crowd — then watched a 3-0 humbling.
That he could exert a real influence on the reverse fixture was a vital sign of progress for Amorim after four straight defeats in all competitions.
(Header photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
