Manchester United’s season has been a rollercoaster, with the club struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League. Under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim, results have been disappointing. However, a dramatic FA Cup win against Leicester City gave fans a much-needed boost.
Leicester took an early lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid, but Joshua Zirkzee leveled the score with 25 minutes left. As the game edged toward extra time, Harry Maguire netted a controversial injury-time winner.
The England defender appeared offside when Bruno Fernandes delivered a free-kick, but with VAR absent at this stage of the competition, the goal stood.
Hojlund, who played the entire match, extended his goal drought to 14 games. Ahead of the FA Cup clash, he sat down with Sky Sports for a rapid-fire Q&A session. When asked to name United’s most underrated player, he didn’t hesitate—his answer was Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte, a £50m signing from PSG, has been a crucial figure in United’s midfield this season. Hojlund praised his work ethic and recent performances, highlighting how undervalued he has been.
“With the new manager coming in, you can see how well he’s playing,” Hojlund said. “The results haven’t been great, but he’s been outstanding. Players like him don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”
He also pointed out Amad Diallo’s rise in form but insisted that Ugarte remains a standout performer.
Ugarte played most of the FA Cup victory before being substituted in the closing moments. After the match, Amorim admitted the team’s display was far from convincing.
“We had to believe until the end, but this wasn’t the Fergie era,” Amorim said. “We lacked energy in the first half. The second half was better—we played with more urgency, won second balls, and found a way to win. The result was good, but the performance wasn’t.”
Amorim stressed that both he and the players must step up. “It’s about the small details—keeping possession, making the right decisions under pressure,” he said. “It’s a tough moment, but we have to handle it and improve for the next game.”
While United continues to search for consistency, Hojlund’s praise for Ugarte highlights one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating campaign.