Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claimed after the defeat to Liverpool last Sunday that Manuel Ugarte did not feature because he needs to build his fitness having not played this season.
He insisted that it could take weeks or months before the Uruguayan midfielder is ready to make his debut and start playing regularly for the Red Devils.
However, the former Paris Saint-Germain star proved the Dutchman wrong in the early hours of Saturday, playing 79 minutes for his country in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
The new Man United man put in an impressive shift in the 0-0 draw, completing the most passes (52), recording 87% pass accuracy and winning the most tackles (two).
Ugarte also created the most chances (one) in a tightly contested game, winning the most duels (12) – nine of 12 ground duels won and three of four aerial duels won.
He also was not dribbled past and is expected to feature when Uruguay take on Venezuela on Tuesday in their eighth game of the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualification.
Ugarte was also very influential in attack, providing nearly ten passes into the final third, and Ten Hag could hand him his debut against Southampton immediately after the international break.
The 23-year-old was rated more than his teammates following his outstanding performance in the middle of the park, and he is more than ready to start playing for the Red Devils.
Ugarte had not played since the Copa America third-place play-off against Canada on July 13, but he did not show any sign of struggling during the time he spent on the pitch.
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