New Signing Manuel Ugarte Impresses on Manchester United Debut – Performance Breakdown

Manchester United stormed into the Carabao Cup fourth round with an emphatic 7-0 win over Barnsley at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag rotated his squad, featuring Manuel Ugarte in his full debut, alongside Toby Collyer, both showcasing their potential.

Manuel Ugarte Impresses in Dominant Midfield Display

Despite limited training, Ugarte excelled in midfield, dictating play with composure. His defensive presence was vital, protecting a rotated defense while initiating attacks when necessary. A knee injury just before half-time, which saw blood pouring, highlighted his resilience as he continued playing despite the discomfort. Ugarte’s performance, capped off by a standing ovation, left fans and pundits buzzing, as he showed qualities reminiscent of United’s legendary midfielders. “He looked like he’d been in the team for years,” remarked Ten Hag post-match【6†source】.

Collyer’s Tough First Senior Start

Toby Collyer, typically a midfielder, was deployed at left-back due to injuries in the squad. Though Barnsley created few chances, their limited attacks came down his flank. Despite this, Collyer’s effort and adaptability were praised, but his future contributions may come from his preferred central role.

Rashford Continues Goal-Scoring Form

Marcus Rashford added two goals to his tally, thriving in a central role in the absence of strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund. His first was a powerful finish after a long ball from Alejandro Garnacho, while his second came from a defensive error by Barnsley, coolly finishing past the goalkeeper. This shift to a more central role could indicate that Rashford’s best performances may come from playing through the middle.

Antony Shows Encouraging Signs

Under some pressure, Antony impressed. After winning a penalty by drawing a foul from Barnsley’s goalkeeper, he stepped up to take the spot-kick, confidently converting despite the presence of other senior penalty takers. His lively performance helped justify his hefty price tag and reaffirmed his importance in Ten Hag’s plans.

Onana’s Leadership Behind the Scenes

Though André Onana wasn’t included in the matchday squad, he played a key role off the pitch. The United goalkeeper helped prepare his teammates by taking part in the pre-match warm-up, a sign of his commitment and leadership within the squad. His presence provided a much-needed boost to the team’s mentality and focus amid mounting pressure to deliver results.

This commanding performance, highlighted by Ugarte’s seamless integration and Rashford’s scoring form, positions Manchester United as serious contenders in the Carabao Cup, with Ten Hag’s tactical rotations paying off handsomely.