Manuel Ugarte makes feelings clear on Ruben Amorim's first controversial Man Utd decision
Manchester United have already shaken things up since the arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim, but not all of the decisions made recently have been universally popular
Manuel Ugarte has credited Darren Fletcher for helping players 'understand what it means' to play for Manchester United after it emerged he will be staying at the club.
The arrival of United's new head coach, Ruben Amorim, last week has already led to big changes at Old Trafford, with the most notable departure being that of former interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
With Amorim bringing five members of staff with him from Sporting Lisbon, the Dutchman was deemed surplus to requirements. Fletcher - Van Nistelrooy's former team-mate - escaped a similar fate, though, and will continue in his role as a coach under Amorim.
Fletcher, 40, was previously technical director before being moved to the coaching team as somebody to link the path between the first team and academy earlier this year.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford gives three-word verdict on Ruben Amorim's first Man Utd training sessionREAD MORE: Man Utd scout watches Viktor Gyokeres score for Sweden as transfer chase intensifiesBut despite Fletcher's long affiliation with the club, whom he made 342 appearances for, some fans were not happy that he was given a stay of execution rather than Van Nistelrooy.
Ugarte, though, has since shed some light on the importance of Fletcher's role in the dressing following the midfielder's summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. “We all know what it means to be United, with the history we have,” Ugarte told the club's official website.
“The history, the fans, the mystique. I understand this responsibility and that starts with the day-to-day, being 100 per cent focused on the football and ready to win trophies.
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“United matches are always on in Uruguay so we all know the history they have. When you come here, and you are with people who are part of the history, for example, [Darren] Fletcher — they transmit what it means to be United.”
Ugarte played 85 times under Amorim for Sporting Lisbon and has already expressed his excitement at the prospect of reuniting with the highly-rated Portuguese coach.
“I arrived in January [to sign for Famalicao] and, in June, I was leaving for Sporting. It’s one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and I was very proud. I enjoyed my time at Famalicao and also at Sporting, where I spent almost three years. Lisbon is amazing – the city, the people, the club, my team-mates. Everything.
“It is a warm place that treats you well and you make lots of friends. That helped me be successful. I felt comfortable. We had a great coach [Ruben Amorim] who helped me a lot, too.”
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