Ugarte is ‘optimistic’ team spirit can bring successful campaign

MANUEL UGARTE is “optimistic” about a successful season at Manchester United amid the buoyant mood in the squad.

- By SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Ugarte excelled in United’s opening tour win against West Ham United in New Jersey on Saturday night in what is his first preseason with the club.

The 24-year-old joined United from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day last August for a fee rising to £50.75million and Ugarte is set to have a pivotal role in head coach Ruben Amorim’s side this season.

Ugarte played under Amorim at Sporting and the Uruguay international has backed himself to improve on an underwhelming first campaign which ended with him being benched for the Europa League final.

Amorim omitted the five members of United's ‘bomb squad’ from the tour. Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan but Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are all still at the club.

Ugarte stressed togetherness is fundamental if United are to recover from their worst season in 51 years.