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Manchester United have been left sweating over the fitness of Manuel Ugarte after the midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay’s 1-0 loss to Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

The United midfielder started at the centre of Marcelo Bielsa’s line-up as Uruguay aimed to keep their World Cup dreams alive. However, the evening turned sour as Spain clinched a narrow victory, capitalising on an error from veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

The most worrying moment for Uruguay and United came before half-time when Ugarte went down awkwardly while tracking Spain’s creative midfielder Pedri. The 25-year-old, who signed for the Red Devils two years ago, immediately appeared in distress, clutching his knee as medical personnel rushed onto the field.

After receiving extended medical attention, Ugarte was unable to continue and was taken off the field on a stretcher. The Uruguay international covered his face and was visibly emotional, leaving the pitch in tears — a sight that raised fears of a potentially serious injury.

The incident could hardly have come at a worse time for Manchester United, who are in the midst of reshaping their midfield ahead of the transfer window’s closure. The club has already moved quickly in the market, completing a deal for Ederson, while also maintaining interest in Matheus Fernandes despite strong competition from other European sides.

From United’s standpoint, the hope is that Ugarte’s injury is not as severe as it initially appeared. The midfielder had been expected to leave Old Trafford this summer as part of manager Michael Carrick’s effort to rejuvenate the squad’s midfield options. Such a move would also have helped generate funds for new signings.

However, a long-term injury could complicate those plans significantly. Potential buyers are unlikely to commit to a transfer while a player is recovering from a serious knee problem, limiting United’s ability to generate revenue in an already inflated market.

The Red Devils have ambitious rebuilding plans, but maintaining financial balance remains equally crucial. The club will now await the results of Ugarte’s medical scans with concern, hoping the setback proves to be less severe than feared.