Erik ten Hag has pleaded with fans to be patient with new signing Manuel Ugarte after Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils fell to an abysmal defeat on home turf on Sunday as Luis Diaz fired two strong goals past Andre Onana before Mohamed Salah made it three to guarantee the Reds victory. It came just one week after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion, with United managing just two goals so far in the 2024/25 campaign.

The introduction of fresh talent in Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro has been met with optimism, but supporters are yet to see their newest signing in action after Ugarte made the move to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

“We have to build him in the team,” Ten Hag said when asked about Ugarte after the Liverpool clash. “It will take time. It is not like I am Harry Potter, that is what you have to acknowledge.

“Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play in the season, not one match minute. We have to build his fitness and then I am sure he will be an important player.

“I don’t want to talk about positives. There are some, but we have to take this defeat. It hurts, especially for our fans. We have to be humble. It is just the third game in the season and we have to build a new team.

“I don’t think it’s right to say it feels the same as last year. You can see [from] the xG we didn’t concede as many goals. I don’t think we are in the same pattern. Well done, Liverpool. We have to be humble and take it.”

United head into the international break having won just one game against Fulham. They’re set to travel to the south coast to face Southampton upon the Premier League’s return.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP