Manchester United are once again in turmoil. Just when it seemed that the club was finally finding stability under new manager Ruben Amorim, a new internal conflict has exploded — this time involving midfielder Manuel Ugarte, the Uruguayan international once seen as a key part of Amorim’s tactical revolution.
According to multiple reports from inside Old Trafford, Amorim publicly confronted Ugarte during a heated training session, accusing him of being “undisciplined and unprofessional” after several disappointing performances in recent weeks. The outburst, which took place in front of the entire squad, has reportedly sent shockwaves through the dressing room and divided opinion among the players.
THE INCIDENT THAT SHOOK CARRINGTON 
Sources close to the club claim that tensions had been building for several days. Ugarte, who was signed amid much fanfare to bring defensive solidity and aggression to United’s midfield, has been struggling to adapt to Amorim’s system — particularly his high-intensity pressing and positional demands.
Witnesses described a particularly tense moment during a tactical session at Carrington, when Ugarte failed to track back during a defensive drill. Amorim reportedly stopped the session immediately, turned toward Ugarte, and shouted in front of the squad:
“You don’t decide when to run! You play for Manchester United — not for yourself!”
Those words, delivered with Amorim’s usual fire and directness, left the room in stunned silence. According to players present, Ugarte looked visibly shocked, trying to explain himself — but Amorim wasn’t done.
“I’ve seen this too many times,” the Portuguese coach continued. “No discipline, no responsibility, no respect for the shirt! If you don’t fix this, you won’t play again.”
The dressing room fell into awkward silence. Some players tried to defuse the situation, while others quietly exchanged glances, realizing that the manager’s patience with Ugarte had run out.
A PATTERN OF STRUGGLES
The Uruguayan midfielder, who joined United in the summer transfer window for a fee of £55 million, was seen as a major signing — a player capable of bringing grit, balance, and intelligence to Amorim’s midfield.
However, since arriving, Ugarte’s performances have been inconsistent at best. Once known for his work ethic and discipline at Paris Saint-Germain, he has recently been criticized for a lack of concentration and for committing costly errors in key matches.
In particular, his performance in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool drew heavy criticism from pundits and fans alike. Ugarte lost possession several times in dangerous areas, appeared slow to react to second balls, and seemed disconnected from his teammates in pressing situations.
For a manager like Amorim — who demands tactical precision and discipline above all — these lapses were unacceptable.
AMORIM’S MESSAGE: “NO ONE IS SAFE”
Those close to Amorim describe him as a coach who values structure, discipline, and unity above individual flair. His outburst toward Ugarte, while shocking, is seen by some as part of a broader message: no player, regardless of price tag or reputation, is untouchable.
A source inside the club told The Telegraph:
“Ruben has been frustrated for weeks. He feels some players are not giving 100%, especially in training. The moment with Ugarte wasn’t just about him — it was about setting a standard for everyone.”
According to the same source, Amorim’s tone was intentionally harsh. He wanted to make an example. “He needed to show the dressing room that effort is non-negotiable.”
But not everyone agrees with Amorim’s methods. Some players reportedly felt the confrontation went too far and should have been handled privately. One veteran member of the squad was quoted saying:
“Calling out a player in front of everyone can destroy confidence. Ugarte might never recover from this.”
DRESSING ROOM DIVIDED
As often happens at Manchester United, internal conflict rarely stays internal for long. Within hours of the training session, reports of the confrontation began circulating online, sparking debate among fans and pundits.
Insiders claim the dressing room is now split into two camps: those who support Amorim’s tough-love approach and those who believe he’s creating unnecessary tension.
One group — mostly younger players and new signings — reportedly view Amorim’s strictness as necessary to restore accountability after years of instability under previous managers.
“He’s not being cruel,” said one player anonymously. “He’s trying to bring back standards. Manchester United can’t afford passengers anymore.”
However, others — including some senior players — feel Amorim’s blunt criticism risks alienating key members of the squad.
“He’s passionate, but sometimes it feels too personal,” one insider noted. “You can lose the dressing room that way.”
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
The news of the confrontation quickly exploded across social media. Fans are just as divided as the team itself.
“Finally a manager who demands respect and effort!” one supporter wrote. “Ugarte has been lazy for weeks — Amorim is absolutely right.”
“This is not the way to motivate players,” another argued. “Public humiliation never works. You fix it privately, not in front of the cameras.”
Former Manchester United players have also weighed in. Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, said bluntly:
“I love it. That’s how it used to be in my day. If you can’t take criticism, you’re in the wrong club. Amorim’s doing what needs to be done — shaking things up.”
Meanwhile, Gary Neville took a more cautious stance:
“It’s a dangerous game. Publicly calling someone out can unite the squad — or completely fracture it. The next match will tell us which way this goes.”
WHAT NEXT FOR UGARTE?
Ugarte’s future now looks uncertain. Despite being only months into his Manchester United career, insiders believe that Amorim could sideline him indefinitely unless his attitude and performances improve drastically.
Rumors are already circulating that Amorim could drop Ugarte from the next matchday squad, replacing him with either Kobbie Mainoo or Scott McTominay in midfield. Such a move would send a clear message: play by the manager’s rules, or don’t play at all.
Still, sources close to Ugarte say the player feels “humiliated and misunderstood.” A close friend told ESPN:
“Manuel’s not lazy. He’s struggling to adapt. Amorim’s system is new, intense, and not easy to master. But calling him unprofessional in front of everyone — that was a low blow.”
AMORIM’S UNITED PROJECT AT A CROSSROADS
The timing of this controversy couldn’t be worse. After a string of inconsistent results, Amorim is under pressure to prove that his bold ideas can translate into Premier League success. He arrived at Old Trafford promising structure, discipline, and attacking football — but if the dressing room fractures this early, his revolution could falter before it fully begins.
Pundits are already comparing this episode to past controversies under Erik ten Hag, warning that “history could repeat itself” if Amorim fails to manage the egos in his squad.
“He’s trying to bring order to chaos,” said BBC Sport analyst Chris Sutton. “But if the players rebel, he’ll be the one under fire.”
For now, Amorim stands firm. His message is clear: discipline first, excuses never.
In a brief press conference after training, when asked directly about the rumors, he replied coldly:
“In my team, professionalism is not optional. If you don’t respect that, you don’t play.”
A short sentence — but one that echoes loudly across the halls of Old Trafford.
As the Red Devils prepare for their next fixture, all eyes are on Ugarte. Will he fight back and prove his worth? Or will Amorim’s tough stance push him toward the exit?
One thing is certain: the Portuguese manager has drawn his line in the sand — and in Manchester, the battle for discipline has just begun.
