Erik ten Hag must start Manuel Ugarte at Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Manchester United continued their winning run on Tuesday night with a resounding 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup third round.

Manuel Ugarte made his full United debut in midfield alongside Casemiro, and he had a lively performance before his 64th-minute substitution.

The Uruguayan had 46 touches and completed 32 out of 37 passes. The defensive midfielder contested 12 duels, winning four of them.

He lost possession on only five occasions. Ugarte committed six fouls while winning a couple. He stuck to his opponents with a terrific work rate.

Ugarte is ready to start in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off at Crystal Palace.

The London outfit are winless in their opening four games, but they are a tough nut to crack at Selhurst Park as United have discovered over the years.

The Eagles did the double over them last season, and United have the opportunity to avenge those results with a third league win of the campaign.

Eriksen started in midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo last weekend, but he doesn’t have the legs to cope with Palace’s intensive style of play.

Casemiro is another option at the manager’s disposal, but he has been inconsistent. The Brazilian lost possession on 15 occasions versus Barnsley.

Ugarte is the perfect fit to partner Mainoo in the centre of the park. Manager Erik ten Hag has no excuses but to start him, as he is definitely up to speed.

The 23-year-old played almost 90 minutes in two World Cup qualifiers for Uruguay. He has managed another 90 minutes for the Red Devils in two competitions.

His early substitution against Barnsley last night is probably a huge hint that he could make his full league debut for the Red Devils this weekend.

Stats from Sofascore.com.