Manchester United's players produced some outstanding individual performances in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool. Bruno Fernandes delivered after his red card against Wolves, Kobbie Mainoo looked back to his best, Lisandro Martinez scored a wonderful goal and Manuel Ugarte was superb.

Everybody knew what Fernandes, Mainoo and Martinez were capable of before this season, but Ugarte was signed on deadline day in the summer transfer window and needed time to settle.

Ugarte's first few weeks in Manchester were mixed. He performed well against lower-division sides in cup competitions but seemed to struggle with the intensity of Premier League fixtures, which prompted concerns United might have made another mistake in the transfer market.

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United signed Ugarte on a five-year contract for €50million (£42.3m), with a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, and he now looks worth every penny after showing the best version of himself.

Patience was always going to be needed with Ugarte and there's no doubt the appointment of Ruben Amorim, who he worked with at Sporting Lisbon, has helped him improve.

The Uruguay international was not Erik ten Hag's preferred midfield signing and he would have been delighted to see Amorim arrive in Manchester.

Ugarte's performance against Liverpool was the kind of display everyone expected when he signed from PSG and he's enjoyed a great few weeks on an individual basis, despite the bad results.

Each month has seen Ugarte look more comfortable in a red shirt but perhaps the turning point was the victory against Manchester City. Ugarte was brilliant in that game at the Etihad and he's enjoyed a fine winter period, despite others around him underperforming.

Ugarte was United's best player in the first half against Wolves on Boxing Day and more would have been made of his performance had Fernandes not been sent off, giving United a mountain to claim against a home side buoyed by a new manger bounce.

He sat out the defeat against Newcastle because he was serving a one-match suspension and returned with a bang against Liverpool, breaking up play and providing control in midfield.

United desperately needed a younger, more mobile option to Casemiro and Ugarte is that player - he has a great engine and he is technically excellent. Ugarte is able to intercept passes and keep the ball, skills that proved to be vital against the league leaders on Sunday.

Kobbie Mainoo and Ugarte are developing a strong understanding in the centre of the pitch. They were expected to be Amorim's preferred starting pair in midfield and although United's head coach has experimented with different line-ups, they should be first choice in their positions.

Ugarte should help Mainoo reach another level - it's easy to forget he is still only 19 years old - and they complemented each other brilliantly at Anfield, which bodes well for the future.

"I don’t want to talk about just Ugarte, he’s the only guy I know really really well," said Amorim in his press conference. "Everybody, even in the bench. Today they faced the competition in a different way. It’s so simple but so difficult to explain here so it’s so clear for everybody."

Ugarte looks tailor-made for Amorim's system, which isn't a surprise considering he played under the United boss at Sporting, and concerns over his suitability to the Premier League have long gone.

"I’ve not seen much of the city because in this league there are so many games," said Ugarte last month. "But what I’ve seen is all very nice and tranquil. It’s a good place to be for a footballer."

Manchester is a great place to be a footballer if you're performing well for United.