Manchester United and Liverpool Draw 2-2 in Historic Clash: Manuel Ugarte Shines in Midfield

In an intense Premier League match at Anfield, Manchester United and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the 20th round of the 2024/25 season. The game saw Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte emerge as one of the standout performers, according to United fans and top analysts in English football. Ugarte's control in the midfield against Liverpool’s strong trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Alexis Mac Allister was widely praised.

The match saw United take the lead through an early goal by Argentine Lisandro Martínez (52'), only for Liverpool to overturn the score with strikes from Dutchman Cody Gakpo (59') and a penalty from Mohamed Salah (70'). However, United fought back, with Amad Diallo scoring the equalizer in the 80th minute.

Ugarte’s Consistent Dominance

Legendary Manchester United players and analysts, including Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, highlighted Ugarte's commanding presence in the midfield. Neville, a former United great, noted, "Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes controlled the midfield against Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister, who have been outstanding all season." Scholes also praised Ugarte's performance, calling him "brilliant."

Ugarte’s standout performance was recognized by the local Manchester Evening News, which awarded him an impressive eight points—matching the highest rating given to any player, including Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez. The newspaper highlighted his combative style, which helped him dominate Liverpool’s midfield despite narrowly avoiding an early yellow card.

A Difficult Season for United

Ugarte's performance came during a challenging season for Manchester United, who are currently sitting 13th in the Premier League standings with just 23 points. The club's poor results have already cost manager Erik ten Hag his job, with the team facing criticism for both their performance and results this season.

• Manuel Ugarte’s Performance: The Uruguayan midfielder impressed with his control of the game, receiving praise from football legends like Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.
• Match Overview: United took the lead through Lisandro Martínez but were later overtaken by Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah scoring from the penalty spot. Amad Diallo equalized for United.
• Ugarte’s Rating: The Manchester Evening News awarded Ugarte eight points, the highest rating for any player in the match.
• Liverpool’s Dominance: Liverpool is leading the Premier League with 46 points, while Manchester United struggles in 13th place with only 23 points.
• Managerial Changes: Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United ended due to poor results, leaving the club in turmoil.