EPL: Craig Burley Blasts Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte, Calls Him a “Wet Blanket”

Former Chelsea midfielder, Craig Burley, has harshly criticized Manchester United’s summer signing, Manuel Ugarte, branding the Uruguayan international a “wet blanket” who, according to him, contributes “absolutely nothing” on the pitch.

Ugarte was among the high-profile signings made under the tenure of former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, who also brought in the likes of Antony and Joshua Zirkzee during his two-year spell at Old Trafford. However, much like several other arrivals under Ten Hag, Ugarte has been underwhelming and has struggled to prove his worth at Manchester United.

According to LMSINT Media sports updates, former United captain Gary Neville also voiced his concerns about the Uruguayan midfielder. Neville stated that Ugarte “is not a Manchester United player,” echoing sentiments that the 23-year-old has not lived up to expectations since his move to England.

Ugarte joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer transfer window of 2024, in a deal reported to be worth around £50 million. Despite featuring in roughly 45 matches for the Red Devils last season, his overall impact was minimal, raising questions about his suitability for a club with the stature and history of Manchester United.

Burley, who is now a football pundit with ESPN, did not hold back in his assessment:

“Manuel Ugarte is just absolutely nothing,” Burley said.
“He’s just like a wet blanket. Put him in with the kids and even the kids would be going, ‘Who the hell is this guy? Seriously.’”

The Uruguay international has also endured a tough start to the new Premier League campaign. In the opening two fixtures, he came on only as a second-half substitute before being left out of the starting lineup entirely in Manchester United’s clash against Burnley.

With pressure mounting and fans growing increasingly frustrated, questions remain over whether Ugarte can adapt to the demands of English football and prove his critics wrong in the long run.

For more updates on Manchester United transfer news and Premier League analysis, visit our sports section on LMSINT Media.