With Arsenal desperate to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool and Manchester United battling to salvage their season from a dangerous 14th position, the stage is set for a fiercely contested match.

Adding to the anticipation, United's Uruguayan midfield maestro, Manuel Ugarte, recently shared his journey—one that began in the football-infused streets of Montevideo and led him to the heart of English football.

Montevideo is a place where football isn't just a game—it’s a way of life. For a young boy growing up in its bustling streets, the sport was more than a pastime; it was an identity, a dream waiting to be chased.

“My childhood was beautiful, competitive, full of moments that shaped my future,” Ugarte reflects.From the earliest days, football was never a choice—it was a calling. There were no other distractions, no other possibilities.

He started young, lacing up his boots and chasing the ball through the streets, often alongside his older brother. Just a year apart in age, they were inseparable. “Football was the bond we shared, a silent language spoken through passes, shots, and endless games on makeshift pitches,” he says.

His brother, too, had talent—something undeniable in their family.The earliest football memory was a training sessions at City Park, a local club where he first felt the structure and discipline of the game beyond the streets.

The exact age is a blur, but the moment left an imprint. It was there, in those first drills, that he learned the essence of football—not just skill and competition, but passion. And one lesson stood out above the rest: “If you’re going to do something, give it everything. No half-measures. If football was the dream, then commitment had to match it.”

His father played an instrumental role in shaping both the player and the person he became. Even today, his father remains a pillar, offering guidance and support, a steady presence in the whirlwind of a professional career.

“He always told me to take a step back sometimes. Reflect on how far you’ve come, on the experiences that have shaped you. Only then can you truly enjoy the journey.”

Professional Football

That journey took its next step at Fénix, a club with more stature in Montevideo. It wasn’t a calculated move, just a natural progression through friendships and shared ambitions. They chose a team together, and his youth career took flight.

The years at Fénix were transformative, an experience he describes as beautiful. He learned, he grew, and most importantly, he enjoyed every moment.Then, at just 15, everything accelerated. Fast-tracked to the first team—something almost unheard of. In Uruguay, football’s youth system is structured into divisions: seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth. He barely had time to settle before being thrust into the senior squad.

By August of his second year, he was training with the first team, though school commitments kept him from fully integrating. Then, at 16, it all became real. Full-time training, full-time football. His debut came at 15, a fleeting seven or eight minutes that felt like an eternity. “The adrenaline, the nerves—it was overwhelming, but unforgettable.”

Sitting on the bench, he felt calm, focused. But as the second half approached, his teammates started whispering: “This is your debut.” That’s when it hit. The nerves surged, his heart raced. If he was feeling the pressure, his father in the stands was ten times more anxious, watching his son step into the professional world.

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Manuel Ugarte: From Montevideo streets to Manchester United’s engine room