Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he is not a ‘Harry Potter’ and warned Manuel Ugarte needs time to adapt to the team ahead of United’s 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Tuesday. With Casemiro heavily criticised for the mistakes that led to the first two goals conceded before being substituted at half-time.
Ugarte was unveiled in front of the fans on deadline day. After joining from Paris Saint-Germain, but Ten Hag warned the 23-year-old could take months to adapt to English football.
“It’s another story, we have to let him adapt to the team. It takes time. I am not a ‘Harry Potter’ that can do whatever you want, that’s what you have to accept,”
“And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute. So he needs to build his fitness rate. And then we have to build him in the team and I am sure he will contribute to our level. He will be an important player but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.
“And it counts for more players. Joshua Zirkzee, he made big steps the last three or four weeks, I am very pleased with his performance today but I didn’t expect this four weeks ago.”
Ten Hag substituted the 32-year-old at half-time with United 1-0 down at home to Brentford 11 months ago and Casemiro has been a shadow of the influential figure. He was during his first season at the club.
“I met him after the game in the dressing room, so he didn’t leave the stadium at half-time. ” Ten Hag said. “Why I subbed him was because we are 2-0 down against an opponent as Liverpool. With their qualities, they are very good.
“We had to take risks because we want to bounce back, then you need players in midfield to cover ground, therefore we put Toby Collyer on the pitch.
Ten Hag said to ufabet http://ufabet999.app . “You see Manuel Ugarte has not played a single game this season, not even a minute, so he has to build his fitness first and then we have to let him adapt to the team and I’m sure he will contribute at our level. He will be an important player but it will take weeks, months.”