Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has suffered a torn cruciate ligament during Uruguay's 1-0 World Cup defeat to Spain on Saturday, according to reports in his home country. The 25-year-old was stretchered off shortly before half-time in Guadalajara after a collision with teammate Mathias Olivera.
Injury confirmed by MRI
While the incident appeared innocuous, it quickly became clear that it was a serious injury. Uruguayan journalist Rodri Vázquez posted on X on Sunday afternoon that an MRI has confirmed Ugarte has suffered torn cruciate ligaments. The midfielder will now spend a number of months on the sidelines and will return to his club for treatment.
World Cup campaign over for Uruguay
Ugarte's World Cup campaign was over regardless, as Uruguay are heading home after a disappointing group stage. The 1-0 loss to Spain followed draws with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, leaving Marcelo Bielsa's side third in the group with just two points.
Impact on Ugarte's future at Manchester United
The severity of the injury may impact Ugarte's future beyond this summer, as Manchester United may now struggle to sell him. Two seasons at Old Trafford have produced little of note from the former PSG player, and the Red Devils' midfield revamp is not expected to include him. However, if he is now going to be out of action for the rest of 2026, a summer exit looks very unlikely. If Manchester United are unable to bring in a transfer fee for Ugarte and get his wages off their books, that could hurt their chances of signing midfield reinforcements.
FIFA compensation
The Red Devils will recoup some money through the FIFA Club Protection Programme (CPP), which compensates clubs for injuries suffered by players on international duty.
Bielsa's brutal assessment
As for Uruguay, it was a nightmare World Cup campaign led by Bielsa, who gave a brutal take on his reign after defeat to Spain. 'What I gave Uruguayan football is nothing, because any contribution a coach makes to a national team over three years is futile without positive outcomes,' he said. 'I don't need to speak any further about our performance at the World Cup. If you ask how they are going to remember me, they will remember me as having left nothing.' He added: 'The journalists, the Uruguayan supporters, you all want to blame me for what happened, and I must take the blame. It is the only right thing to do.'
