Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United poses for a photo on the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Image: Getty Images)
Manuel Ugarte has openly credited Facundo Pellistri alongside Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez with influencing his decision to sign for Manchester United, despite his international team-mate leaving Old Trafford this summer.
The midfielder opened up about the behind-the-scenes influence of his now colleagues, which led to his £51million move from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester, making him United’s fifth acquisition in the summer window.
Although joining too late to participate in the disheartening 3-0 loss against fierce rivals Liverpool, Ugarte was nonetheless presented to the Old Trafford fans before the match commenced.
Speaking about his transfer, Ugarte laid bare the discussions he had with captain Fernandes, star defender Martinez, and also touched on his interactions with former United player and Uruguay compatriot Pellistri.
Facundo Pellistri helped Manchester United seal a big-money transfer. (Image: Getty.)
“First and foremost, it is history, because we all know what a massive club United is,” Ugarte said. “One of the best teams in the world. I’ve watched a few games since the news started to come out. I’ve also spoken with one or two players – with Bruno and Licha – and I have chatted quite a lot.”
He further detailed his conversations with Pellistri, enthusing over the electrifying ambience at Old Trafford and the undeniably charged atmosphere each matchday presents.
“So yes, I’m really excited. I’d love to experience United’s legendary stadium as a player and feel the presence of the supporters. I’m really thrilled and, more than anything, eager and excited, while I obviously realise that it’s a great responsibility and I’m prepared for that.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before, these United fans, because, since the news first came out, they’ve been sending me messages.
“It also made the news in Uruguay and so I also think that the supporters, the real fans, the die-hard United fans, deserve the club to be winning trophies and that’s what we’re hoping to achieve.”
Describing his aggressive, ball-winning style, Ugarte said: “It’s about fighting for every ball like it was your very last.
“It’s something totally natural that you find in Uruguayan players and it’s down to lots of things – the background and context we’ve played in and because there are so few of us. Uruguay is a tiny country, but it’s won and achieved a lot.
“It produces good players and this is also down to that ‘garra charrua’, which means basically giving everything you’ve got, no matter what the situation.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1943988/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Manuel-Ugarte