Manchester United have been dealt a significant setback ahead of the 2026/27 season after confirming that midfielder Manuel Ugarte sustained a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup, raising fears of a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Uruguayan international suffered the injury during his country’s decisive Group H clash against Spain, a match that ended in a 1-0 defeat and sealed Uruguay’s elimination from the tournament. Ugarte was forced to leave the field on a stretcher before halftime after landing awkwardly during a midfield challenge, bringing an emotional end to both his evening and Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.
Manchester United confirmed the extent of the injury in an official statement released after the match, revealing that the midfielder had damaged knee ligaments and is currently undergoing further medical assessments to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and estimate his recovery period.
The Premier League giants also expressed their full support for the 25-year-old, assuring supporters that the club’s medical team would work closely with him throughout every stage of his rehabilitation.
The injury represents a devastating personal setback for Ugarte, who had hoped the World Cup would provide an opportunity to rebuild confidence after a challenging debut campaign at Old Trafford.
The midfielder featured in all three of Uruguay’s group matches, playing a crucial role in the team’s midfield with his trademark aggression, ball-winning ability and relentless work rate. However, his tournament came to a heartbreaking conclusion in Guadalajara when he attempted to close down Spain midfielder Pedri shortly before halftime.
Television replays showed Ugarte losing his balance and twisting awkwardly as he approached the challenge. Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch immediately after he signalled distress, and the seriousness of the situation became clear when he covered his face with his shirt while being carried away on a stretcher.
The emotional scenes reflected both the pain of the injury and the disappointment of Uruguay’s early World Cup exit.
Only moments after Ugarte left the field, Spain capitalised on their numerical advantage when Alex Baena scored what proved to be the winning goal. The narrow victory secured Spain’s place in the knockout rounds while condemning Uruguay to a third-place finish in Group H with only two points from three matches.
For Uruguay, the elimination marked one of the country’s most disappointing World Cup campaigns in recent years. Entering the tournament with high expectations, the South American nation struggled to convert promising performances into positive results and failed to reach the knockout phase.
For Manchester United, attention has immediately shifted from international football to concerns over the midfielder’s availability for the upcoming domestic season.
Ugarte joined the Red Devils from Paris Saint-Germain in a transfer reportedly worth an initial €50 million, with additional performance-related bonuses capable of increasing the total fee by another €10 million.
The signing was viewed as a long-term investment aimed at strengthening United’s midfield with a player renowned for his defensive intelligence, relentless pressing and ability to recover possession.
However, adapting to English football proved more difficult than anticipated.
During the closing months of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Ugarte struggled to establish himself as an automatic starter. He appeared in only six of Manchester United’s final 16 league fixtures and started just one, leading to increased competition for places in midfield.
Former United manager Ruben Amorim previously acknowledged that the Uruguayan required time to adapt to the intensity and physical demands of Premier League football, describing English football as a completely different environment compared to his previous experiences in Portugal and France.
Despite those challenges, the club continued to view Ugarte as an important part of its long-term plans.
The latest injury now creates fresh uncertainty for both player and club.
Manchester United’s medical specialists will continue evaluating the damage before deciding whether surgery will be required or if conservative rehabilitation offers the best route to recovery.
While no official timeline has been announced, knee ligament injuries frequently require several months of treatment and rehabilitation depending on their severity.
The situation could also influence United’s transfer strategy during the current summer window.
With experienced midfielder Casemiro expected to leave Old Trafford following the expiration of his contract, strengthening the centre of midfield had already become one of the club’s priorities.
Ugarte’s absence could now accelerate recruitment plans as United seek additional depth capable of competing across the Premier League, domestic cup competitions and European football.
Managerial staff will undoubtedly monitor the transfer market closely while awaiting clearer medical updates regarding the Uruguayan international.
For Ugarte, the immediate focus will remain on recovery.
Still only 25 years old, he has plenty of time to revive his Manchester United career once fully fit. His determination, work ethic and defensive qualities remain highly valued within the squad, and club officials are expected to provide every possible resource to support his rehabilitation.
Although the World Cup ended in heartbreak for both Uruguay and one of its most influential midfielders, Ugarte’s priority now is returning stronger and proving he can fulfil the promise that convinced Manchester United to invest heavily in his talent.
