AS a boy wonder discovered by a baker, maybe Manuel Ugarte was always destined to cost big dough.
Erik ten Hag felt £42.3million was a price worth paying to make the Uruguayan hard man the icing on Manchester United’s midfield cake.
And his starring role in Thursday’s Europa League scrap in Turkey, suggested Ugarte may indeed be just what United boss Ten Hag kneads.
The ball-winner made anything but a flying start in Manchester.
But Ugarte, 23, was United’s best performer in their 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce, making a superb goal-saving block.
He also played a key role in starting the move which led to Christian Eriksen’s opener.
It has been anything but plain sailing for Ugarte or United this season.
But the scout who spotted him 7,500 miles away never had any doubts.
Ugarte was 13 and playing for local side City Park — in Montevideo — when Marcelo Sasso convinced him to join second-tier Fenix.
Part-time talent spotter Sasso, who earns his crust in the family bakery, beat off the bigger sides by convincing Ugarte’s dad Miguel that Fenix offered a quicker route to the top.
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Two years later he made the first team and he went on to play for Sporting Lisbon and Paris Saint-Germain before landing his move to Old Trafford in August.
Sasso revealed: “Fenix is only a small club.
“So when I see a player, I find his best friends and sign them to attract him.
“Manuel was coming from a baby club called City Park.
“Penarol, Nacional and Defensor were after him, but I told his father he should sign for us.
“All I got was silence from his dad, and I really thought I’d lost him.
“Just before the end of the transfer window I got a surprise when Miguel brought Manuel to training.
“His father was still uncertain, but said Manu decided to sign for us because his five best friends were also going to play for the club.
“He said ‘I am not sure it’s the best option — but he wants to play with his friends.’”
It looks a wise call now — with Ugarte fast winning over the United fans.
And he aims to take the next step in Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham.
And while United are still far from back on an even keel, Sasso has every faith their new midfield star can steer the ship.
He added: “I am aware things haven’t been going well for them.
“But all the great teams — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Boca Juniors, everyone — have stormy days.
“I hope and believe Manu will also be there in the times of calm.
“He will be the new leader of the United team.
“Trust me on that — I know I’m right.”
Manuel Ugarte the next Roy Keane
By PHIL THOMAS
NEARLY two decades have passed since Roy Keane led Manchester United into battle for the final time.
It left a gap in the engine room that the Red Devils have never really come close to filling in the 19 years that have followed.
Many tried and some managed it in flashes and, although the trophies still rolled in for a time, there was no snarling, bring-it-on warrior prowling the midfield.
Until now… until the imminent capture of a man who views a 50-50 challenge like a starving Labrador staring at a side of ham.
For three months, United have licked their own lips at the prospect of a midfield marshalled by Uruguayan tough guy Manuel Ugarte.
Finally, they have their man.
Ugarte is pretty much a ball-winner pure and simple.
Rarely will you see him pinging 40-yard passes to split a defence.
But ending his days with half the reputation of Keane and a fraction of his silverware would still mean a hell of a career.
