Fletcher must axe £42m Man Utd star vs Man City after glaring mistake in FA Cup exit

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher must drop midfielder Manuel Ugarte for the Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford last night. There were several underperformers.

We were particularly unimpressed with Ugarte, who was partly at fault for Danny Welbeck’s winner.

The Uruguayan, who was signed for an initial £42 million from Paris Saint-Germain, was right beside Welbeck in the lead-up to the goal.

The 24-year-old was caught ball-watching as the striker freed up space and time to unleash a powerful effort beyond Senne Lammens’ grasp.

Ugarte’s lapse of concentration is unforgivable for a defensive midfielder at this level, and we don’t see him starting against Man City.

Kobbie Mainoo gave a good account of himself in the centre of the park before his early substitution due to a yellow card.

Casemiro was given a breather yesterday after his heavy workload in recent weeks.

The Brazilian should be reinstated in the XI alongside Mainoo in midfield this weekend.

Meanwhile, Leny Yoro was equally at fault for Welbeck’s goal as he failed to spot the run of the England international.

We could see Harry Maguire make his first start in central defence since recovering from a hamstring injury.

United are still very much in the race for Champions League football. They are three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.

The Red Devils are also one point behind fifth-placed Brentford. The position could yet be enough for Champions League football.

Hence, the club must return to winning ways in the league at the earliest opportunity.

They face a stern challenge with Man City and Arsenal to confront (home & away) in the next two fixtures.

United are in a potential make-or-break situation and can’t afford back-to-back defeats, particularly with the close chasing pack this campaign.

Only five points separate the Red Devils from Tottenham Hotspur in 14th. It could be a very tight race for possibly two Champions League spots.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .