Manuel Ugarte left the World Cup on a stretcher. Manchester United are left with a midfield problem.
The Uruguayan international sustained a significant knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s 1-0 group stage loss to Spain on June 27, 2026. He was carried off the pitch in the 45th minute, visibly distressed, after colliding with his own teammate Mathias Olivera.
If the injury is confirmed as an ACL tear, Ugarte could be sidelined for anywhere between six and twelve months.
The injury and what it means for United’s squad
Losing him for the better part of a year forces United’s recruitment team to rethink a summer window that was already complex. The club now faces a choice: absorb the loss and trust existing options in the middle of the park, or move quickly to bring in cover before the transfer window closes.
