Rasmus Hojlund names Man Utd's most underrated player | OneFootball

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has named the teammate he believes is his most underrated at Old Trafford – central midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The Red Devils are enduring another challenging season, with a change in management unable to deliver a turnaround in results. Head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign will be "painful", though Friday night's 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round did offer some temporary respite.

Hojlund's individual campaign has also been challenging. The 22-year-old, signed in July 2023 in a deal worth £72m, has scored just two Premier League goals in 19 appearances and has lost his place as a guaranteed starter up front.

The Dane is now on a run of 14 games without a goal across all competitions, and there was even talk of a potential January exit when the transfer window was open. No offers were forthcoming but Hojlund must begin to find the back of the net if he's to convince Amorim that he has a role to play long-term.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Hojlund was put on the spot over which of his United teammates does not get the recognition they deserve, and it didn't take him long to name Ugarte, who joined last summer from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, as the player who goes under the radar most.

Ugarte gets through a lot of work in midfield / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

"I think you’ve seen it a little bit more now with the new manager coming in, how well he’s been doing," Hojlund explained. "Obviously the results have not been good enough but he’s been a standout player lately. You see his quality, you see those workhorses in teams, they don’t get the appreciation.

"For example, Amad [Diallo] has been doing amazing recently and he’s starting to get his recognition.

"But Manu has also been very, very good. You’re starting to see now that he’s performing on another level."

Ugarte previously worked with Amorim at Sporting CP, spending two seasons in Portugal before heading to PSG in June 2023. United, still managed by Erik ten Hag, then swooped in at the end of August 2024 to pick up the Uruguayan international in a deal worth close to £50m inclusive of potential add-ons.

The 23-year-old is now first-choice in United's midfield, normally partnering Kobbie Mainoo or Bruno Fernandes, and has taken on the role of defensive midfield anchor from Casemiro.