Top News

Manchester United have officially confirmed that midfielder Manuel Ugarte has sustained a knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s World Cup fixture against Spain on Friday. The 23-year-old was taken off the field on a stretcher after appearing in visible pain, sparking major concerns about a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines as the club continues medical evaluations to determine his recovery timeline.

A major injury setback for United

The Premier League club released a statement following Ugarte’s injury in Uruguay’s 1-0 loss to Spain, a result that saw the South American side crash out of the tournament in the group stage. The statement read: “Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay in Friday’s World Cup group-stage match against Spain. Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timescale. Everyone wishes Manuel a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way.”

World Cup heartbreak for Ugarte

The incident occurred in the 45th minute at Guadalajara Stadium, where Ugarte landed awkwardly while going in for a challenge against Spain midfielder Pedri. Moments later, Luis de la Fuente’s team scored the only goal of the match through Alex Baena.

Ugarte was visibly emotional as he was carried off, covering his face with his shirt while medical staff attended to him. The defeat left Uruguay third in Group H with just two points, confirming their early exit from the 2026 World Cup. Before the injury, Ugarte had started all three of Uruguay’s group matches, playing a key role in midfield.

Challenges at Old Trafford

Since his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United for an initial fee of €50 million plus €10 million in potential add-ons, Ugarte has struggled to cement a regular starting spot. He appeared in only six of the final 16 Premier League games of the 2025-26 season, with just one of those as a starter.

Former United head coach Ruben Amorim had commented earlier that Ugarte was “struggling” and “must improve,” stressing that the Premier League presented a “different world” compared to his previous stints in France and Portugal. With three years still remaining on his contract, this injury represents a major obstacle in his efforts to establish himself at the club.

What lies ahead for United?

United will now await the complete medical assessment to understand the full extent of Ugarte’s injury and recovery period. In the meantime, the club are expected to be proactive in the summer transfer market to bolster their midfield strength. Following Casemiro’s departure as a free agent, reinforcing that department has become one of their top priorities ahead of the upcoming season.