Ruben Amorim favourite might be about to discover how ruthless Manchester United boss really is

When Manchester United appointed Ruben Amorim last November, Manuel Ugarte would have breathed a sigh of relief. After a slow start to life at Old Trafford following his £50million switch from Paris St-Germain, a reunion with his former Sporting coach looked just the ticket.

Ugarte prospered in Lisbon in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, playing as one of the two deeper midfielders and earning a move to PSG. He never really built any momentum in Paris and, a year later, was on the move again, joining United despite not being the top target of then-manager Erik ten Hag.

The Urugayan had a slow start under Ten Hag, but interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy gave him four starts and then he saw the appointment of Amorim as his time to shine. He was already the coach he had played the most football under, and almost half of his 245 career appearances have come under the Portuguese.

In the early weeks of Amorim's reign, Ugarte did an interview with Sky Sports, offering insight into Amorim's system, why it works, what he wants from his midfielders, and why it favours him.

"I think the most important thing is to always be the balance. To be a help to the defence. To recover the ball and to maintain the ball, to maintain possession," said Ugarte.

"I think these are the most important things and, well, these are the things that favour me. Because those are features of my game. I think that's the best thing I have. These are the things that complement each other, and that's good.

"I already know it. I already know how it is and that favours me to a certain extent.

"He always wants a midfielder a little more fixed and another that is a little more loose, that can move more, a bit more freedom.

Amorim also praised Ugarte in the early weeks of his