Erik ten Hag has urged fans to be patient with new signing Manuel Ugarte following Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils fell to one abysmal defeat on home turf on Sunday as Luis Diaz fired two powerful goals past Andre Onana before Mohamed Salah made it three to secure victory for the Reds. It came just a week after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion, with United managing just two goals so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
The introduction of new talent in Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro has been met with optimism, but fans have yet to see their new signing in action after Ugarte. moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
“We have to train him on the team,” Ten Hag he said when asked about Ugarte after the Liverpool clash. “It takes time. It’s not like I’m Harry Potter, that’s what you have to admit.
“Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play the season, not one minute of the game. We have to improve his fitness and then I’m sure he will be an important player.
“I don’t want to talk about positives. There are some, but we have to take this defeat. It hurts, especially for our fans. We have to be humble. It’s only the third game of the season and we have to build a new team.
“I don’t think it’s right to say it feels the same as last year. You can see (from) the xG that we haven’t conceded as many goals. I don’t think we’re in the same pattern. Well done, Liverpool we have to be humble and take it.”
united heading into the international break after winning just one game against Fulham. They are set to travel to the south coast to face Southampton on their Premier League return.
