After Manchester United’s 2–1 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday night, attention has quickly shifted toward the January transfer window, with growing belief that one player in particular could be shown the exit.
In the aftermath of the defeat, a senior midfielder has come under intense scrutiny, with his display described by some observers as “scandalous,” raising serious questions about his future at Old Trafford.
As January approaches, it feels like a familiar cycle for United. Once again, the club appears ready to reshape large sections of the squad in the hope of rediscovering past success.
The pattern has become predictable: offload underperforming players, invest heavily in new arrivals, and hope that change sparks improvement.
While there is genuine optimism surrounding the Ruben Amorim era — especially following a noticeable improvement on last season’s disastrous campaign that ended in United’s worst-ever Premier League finish — fundamental problems remain unresolved. Chief among them is a recruitment strategy that continues to haunt the club.
Those concerns were magnified at Villa Park. United were already struggling in midfield before captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off with a hamstring injury, depriving the side of its primary organiser.
Even with Fernandes on the pitch, however, the centre of the park looked fragile.
The most glaring example was Manuel Ugarte, whose performance stood out for all the wrong reasons and has left many doubting whether he should be part of United’s long-term plans.
Signed for a fee exceeding £43 million and reportedly earning around £120,000 per week, Ugarte was brought in to add steel, control, and defensive stability to United’s midfield. Instead, his showing against Aston Villa highlighted how far he currently is from fulfilling that role.
During his 73 minutes on the pitch — which ended with a yellow card and substitution — the 24-year-old struggled badly.
He completed only around 70 percent of his passes in the opposition half, lost possession eight times despite having just 44 touches, won only two of his five tackles, and was beaten in seven ground duels.
One incident summed up his evening perfectly: Ugarte was muscled off the ball in his own half far too easily, allowing Villa to launch a dangerous attack that ended in a shot on goal.
Unsurprisingly, his display earned him a dismal 3/10 rating from GIVEMESPORT, reflecting how ineffective he was in a match where United desperately needed control.
Reaction from fans and pundits was swift and unforgiving. Social media was flooded with criticism, with supporters openly calling for his sale in January.
Some claimed he looked like a shadow of the player United thought they were signing, while others went further, insisting his time at the club should end immediately.
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst was particularly blunt, labelling the performance “scandalous” and pointing out how often Ugarte turned promising situations into defensive emergencies for United.
Despite Amorim’s reputation for patience and loyalty to his players, difficult decisions may now be unavoidable. While form can fluctuate, there is growing concern that Ugarte’s overall level has declined significantly since his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Once praised for his aggression and physical presence, those same traits now seem to result mainly in fouls, bookings, and suspensions rather than dominance.
Letting him go would create another gap in midfield, but it may be a necessary step. Alternatives such as Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, or Conor Gallagher could offer fresher energy and greater suitability to the Premier League.
As United look toward January, Ugarte’s future appears increasingly uncertain, and his performance at Villa Park may prove to be a defining moment in that decision.
