Manchester United’s midfield just got significantly more complicated. Manuel Ugarte, the Uruguayan international who arrived at Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024, has been confirmed to have suffered a complete anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee, an injury that could keep him off the pitch for the better part of a year.
The MRI scan, conducted on June 28 in Playa del Carmen, confirmed the extent of the damage. There is also possible meniscus involvement, which would complicate the recovery further.
How the injury happened
Ugarte went down during Uruguay’s World Cup group-stage match against Spain on June 27, 2026. The moment was particularly grim because there was no contact involved. His knee simply buckled.
Ugarte was stretchered off in tears, and anyone watching could see the severity before any medical confirmation arrived. The scan the following day made it official.
