Predicting how Manchester United are going to line up is becoming an almost impossible task nowadays.

Nobody would have anticipated Noussair Mazraoui starting in the attacking-midfield position against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, nor would many have expected to see Victor Lindelof’s name in the starting XI. In the absence of Bruno Fernandes in Istanbul, it was widely expected United manager Erik ten Hag would push Christian Eriksen further forward.

But it was Mazraoui who started just behind lone frontman Joshua Zirkzee. It was an experiment that failed to pay off. Zirkzee, who is showing few signs of being the natural goalscorer United needed in the summer, would have been a more suitable replacement for Fernandes in the No.10 berth. His link-up play is his biggest strength. Amad, too, was also an option Ten Hag overlooked.

At the base of the engine room, however, Ten Hag’s decision to hand Manuel Ugarte his first start since the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on September 29 was fully justified, with the Uruguayan producing his best performance for the club to date.

This reporter, earlier this week, argued for Ugarte to be handed just his fourth start in United colours in Istanbul, highlighting the fact he needed minutes to start proving why the club had chased his signature all summer. His first few performances did not result in glowing assessments, but the sample size was far too small to launch a wave of negativity.

United, ever since the beginning of last season, have been crying out for a destroyer at the base of their midfield. Casemiro has enjoyed an illustrious career in that role, but it has been evident for some time that his career has now passed its peak.

Ugarte, who is nine years Casemiro’s junior, was brought to United to offer fresh energy and essentially act as an upgrade on his South American compatriot. He was always going to require time to adjust to his new surroundings, but his performance against Jose Mourinho’s side was hopefully a sign of things to come.

Not only did he produce an outstanding block to somehow thwart Dusan Tadic when the Serbian looked destined to score, but he was also key in the build-up to United’s goal, robbing Fred of possession to set United on their way. That interception highlighted why United were so desperate to secure his signature.

Storing 90 minutes under his belt, Ugarte produced three interceptions, two tackles, four clearances, one block and one clearance off the line. United’s supporters would, of course, have been much happier had the team scooped its first Europa League win of the season, but Ugarte’s performance offered plenty of encouragement.

Having started and performed well, Ugarte should now expect to start Sunday’s trip to West Ham United. He deserves the chance to try and get into a rhythm in United’s midfield and only a run of starts will help him achieve that.

For many, the addition of a defensive-minded midfielder had to be United’s leading objective in the summer transfer window, and they kept their fans waiting, signing Ugarte on deadline day. They have been made to wait since then, rarely seeing him get a meaningful opportunity, but now he has proven he deserves one.