Manuel Ugarte heaps praise on Manchester United teammate Casemiro and reveals things he is learning from him
Manchester United have endured a wretched Premier League season that currently has them in 14th place with just a mere 39 points and four games left to play.
The 20-time English champions have suffered 15 top-flight defeats, but it has been a totally different story when it comes to their Europa League campaign, where the Red Devils remain unbeaten – the only team in Europe with such a unique record this term.
Ruben Amorim’s side staged a dramatic comeback against Lyon, winning 5-4 in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Old Trafford (7-6) on aggregate to book a semi-final tie with Athletic Bilbao. Manchester United are now totally committed to winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League next season, but a strong, well-drilled Athletic Bilbao stands in front of them in the last four of the competition.
Ahead of Man United’s first leg against Bilbao at the San Mames on Thursday evening, Manuel Ugarte expressed his admiration for teammate Casemiro, revealing that he has been learning a great deal from the Brazilian midfield maestro.
“I am learning a lot with Casemiro,” Manuel Ugarte told reporters as he spoke alongside Ruben Amorim at Wednesday’s press conference.
“I have a very good relationship with Case and I try to copy as much as I can. All the good things that he has a player, both inside and outside the pitch too.
“This is what makes him a winner. Up until now, I keep learning and I am very happy.”
Ugarte joined Man United from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a deadline day deal, as INEOS wanted a long-term defensive midfielder to eventually succeed Casemiro at Old Trafford. However, the Uruguayan international struggled under Erik ten Hag and failed to cement his place in the first XI.
Under Amorim, though, things have been quite different as the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the key members of the team. He has made 40 appearances in his debut season at Old Trafford, and of late, Ugarte has forged a strong partnership with Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Barring his debut season, Casemiro has struggled to impose himself and live up to his lofty expectations and price tag. While the Brazilian appears to be past his prime, he has hit form certainly at the right time and has bulldozed his way into Amorim’s XI after spending the initial months of the Portuguese tactician’s reign on the fringes.
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The South American duo must come up with stellar performances in the United engine room over two legs against Bilbao, starting from Thursday’s game in Spain. If Amorim’s side are to get a positive result against the team with the best defence in La Liga, Casemiro and Ugarte’s roles will be mightily crucial.