MANUEL UGARTE’s horror run continued as his ‘curse’ cost Michael Carrick valuable points at home to Leeds.
The midfielder started his first match under the interim boss at Old Trafford in Monday’s surprise 2-1 defeat.
Manuel Ugarte has lost six of his 10 starts this season at Manchester United as fans claim that a ‘curse’ existsCredit: Getty
The Red Devils have only won once with the midfielder in the line-up in 2025-26Credit: Alamy
Missing Kobbie Mainoo, Carrick turned to out-of-favour , 25,
But .
Ugarte was outplayed by Daniel Farke’s midfield and here.
For many, after United fans dubbed his place in the side as having a curse.
Why? He has won just once in 10 starts all season.
The run includes six defeats and draws to all of the promoted sides.
It also looks even worse when extended back to March 2025.
In that time Ugarte has started 14 Premier League matches, losing nine and winning only one.
The Uruguay star has lost 15 of his 30 Prem starts since moving to Old Trafford
He was shocking as they were defeated 2-1 by Leeds on MondayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
when starting for Ruben Amorim.
In more than 18 months at United, the former PSG destroyer has been victorious when starting on six occasions in the league.
He has lost 15 out of that 30 and United supporters are not willing to let it go.
One wrote on X at full-time: “The Ugarte curse is real”.
Another said: “So the Ugarte curse is real after all?”
A third added: “I just knew that Ugarte curse was gonna haunt us”.
Someone else commented: “You see Ugarte on the team sheet and you just know you not winning. It has to be a curse”.
Uruguay international Ugarte with Casemiro off at the end of his contract.
United are plotting at least one big addition in his place with the potential that two join.
Man Utd ratings vs Leeds
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players as the Red Devils were booed at home.
Senne Lammens – 5
Excellent save with his feet to deny inside 90 seconds but he could not have done much about either the close range punt or deflected effort.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
In his first match since limping off at , the Morocco international started off well but quickly took a downward turn and did not look comfortable.
Got routinely done by Okafor down his flank while he failed to stop the Swiss forward’s shot and gave the ball away in dangerous areas.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
A dismal return after a much anticipated wait.
The Argentine’s sloppiness at the back and reckless red card for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair means he is now suspended for the next three games – against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.
The Butcher mindlessly passed the ball to on the edge of the box and headed the ball upward into the air in the lead up to the opener.
Slightly made up for it with a last ditch block to deny Leeds a third before half-time but with facing an extended ban United’s European push could be derailed.
Leny Yoro – 4
A really disappointing night for the 20-year-old. United dearly missed Maguire’s physical presence in both boxes as Yoro was bullied by Calvert-Lewin throughout.
Yoro was too weak in the air with Calvert-Lewin as the ball clipped down into the path of Okafor for his opener and his distribution caused United untold problems. His lack of physicality is glaring.
Luke Shaw – 6
The best of a bad bunch at the back. He was strong in some moments like his cross field switch of play but crucial blocks in key moments.
The former left-back took one for the team with a booking for a tug on Jayden Boyle, who was superb.
Casemiro – 6
The Brazilian struggled as much as Ugarte as he was beaten to the ball in the lead up to Okafor’s second and was slow and rugged in his attempts to win possession back.
But the 34-year-old stood up after Martinez’s dismissal and scored his eighth goal of the campaign to give hope and improved in the second-half.
Manuel Ugarte – 3
It took a few minutes for the home crowd to start getting agitated with Ugarte, who only started due to ‘s minor injury.
It is almost a sad spectacle to see how much he suffered out there. He can only hope for a move elsewhere to start fresh in the summer.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
The playmaker bagged his 17th assist of the season and took risks but was could not take control of proceedings and grew increasingly frustrated.
The United skipper turned up the style in the second-half and tried to make things happen.
Matheus Cunha – 4
An extremely difficult night for star, who was booked for simulation inside 18 minutes and could not complete a pass for love nor money in the first-half.
Cunha did get back and defend resolutely throughout, including an important interception when Leeds were through on goal after the break. Improved once United starting dominating in the final 15 minutes.
Amad – 5
The Ivory Coast forward into great positions down the right but his end product lacked the finesse and power to be United’s starting winger.
He was subbed off in the 69th minute and perhaps should have been replaced by sooner.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
Perhaps Sesko is better as a super-sub after all. The Slovenian was another player who struggled to influence proceedings.
He should have used his height better and was way off it.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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