'Better than I thought' - Paul Scholes raves about Man United star after Liverpool FC draw
Paul Scholes lauded midfielder Manuel Ugarte after the role he played in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Recalled to the starting line-up after missing the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United through suspension, the Uruguay international produced an eye-catching performance in the engine room alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
The 23-year-old, who joined United from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the summer transfer window, won four tackles, completed two clearances and ended the match with an 88 per cent passing accuracy. In the opinion of former United midfield star Scholes, the midfield enforcer has done better than he originally anticipated.
READ MORE: 'I was very surprised' - Virgil van Dijk defends Manchester United amid 'disrespectful' claim
READ MORE: Man United transfer news LIVE - Vlahovic breakthrough, Rashford options, Osimhen blow
"He's probably done better than I thought he would do," Scholes told Premier League Productions. "He [ Ruben Amorim] said before that Ugarte did well for him at Sporting Lisbon, as a really young player as well so he knows him.
"This lad is really growing in confidence. I thought he took up some great positions, he helped defensively, he helped with the attack and I thought he had the composure to take the ball as well. It looks to me like it has to be him with another."
After being drafted in during the summer to add some much-needed steel and grit to United's midfield, it was anticipated that Kobbie Mainoo would become Ugarte's first-choice midfield partner. However, the former Sporting Lisbon man struggled to force his way into the team under former United boss Erik ten Hag.
Scholes, however, insists Mainoo is the best partner for him, adding: "I think Mainoo would be the best one once he's right, once he's playing and his fitness is better.
"Partnerships all over the pitch are important and you look at Manchester United, you don't really see any partnerships, you don't see links between players, you don't see a link between a midfielder and a forward.
"Ugarte and another one are more than capable of playing for that team. And not just Ugarte for his legs… I even think his quality on the ball, it surprised me a little bit because I did see a bit of him at PSG."
