‘Wet blanket’ is a cruel jab at the big Dan Ashworth signing made by a Manchester United star.
During the summer when Dan Ashworth oversaw United’s transfers, only Leny Yoro was more expensive than Ugarte. The former sporting director stated: “Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer.”
When my transfer to Manchester United fell through, I shed happy tears.
“He has a stellar record at the club and international levels and is one of the world’s top ball-winning midfield players. His traits, background, and enthusiasm will greatly enhance our potent midfield bunch.
The 24-year-old, who had some success playing for Sporting CP under Ruben Amorim, has so far failed to establish himself as a starter at the Theatre of Dreams.
Ugarte has only played 46 minutes in three Premier League games in 2025–2026 and is lower in the hierarchy; Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are preferred in the middle of the pitch.
And what Burley has witnessed has left him very disappointed. On ESPN, the former Scotland international stated: “Manuel Ugarte is nothing at all. He resembles a damp blanket. Even the children would ask, “Who the hell is this guy?” if he were in the same room as them.
The 53-year-old analyst also didn’t hesitate to voice his candid thoughts about United’s goalkeeping issue. Burley thinks Senne Lammens will have a difficult transition to the Premier League and does not think Altay Bayindir can stay in goal despite Andre Onana’s anticipated exit.
“He looked the real deal when he was in Italy,” Burley said of Onana. “I thought he was going to come in and have a Schmeichel-esque aura about him. Remember he was bossing about Harry Maguire and he had a go at him.
“If this youngish lad from Belgium comes in and is flapping about all over the place, it’s going to be a mess isn’t it? Altay Bayindir, they can’t play him. He might be okay at shotstopping but he’s absolutely useless at balls into the box.
“He looked the real deal when he was in Italy,” Burley remarked of Onana himself. “I assumed he would enter with an aura reminiscent of Schmeichel. Recall that he took a go at Harry Maguire while he was bossing him.
“It will be a catastrophe if this young Belgian guy shows up and starts flapping around everywhere, isn’t it? They can’t play Altay Bayindir. He may be competent at shotstopping, but when it comes to balls into the box, he is completely ineffective.
“When teams are rattling the ball into the box, the guy who has come in [Lammens] needs to be able to communicate, marshal a back four, be good with the ball at his feet, make saves, have authority, and make a statement.” Now, every team will do just that—they will put as much pressure as possible on this goalie.
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