Manuel Ugarte went under the knife on July 15, 2026, after sustaining ligament damage to his knee during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign. Manchester United confirmed the surgery was successful and that rehabilitation is already underway, but the timeline attached to this kind of procedure is the part that stings.
Ugarte is expected to be sidelined for somewhere between six and twelve months. In practical terms, that means the 2026/27 season could come and go largely without him.
What happened and when
The injury occurred during Uruguay’s group stage match against Spain at the 2026 World Cup, roughly two weeks before the club made the announcement. Ligament damage of this nature rarely announces itself quietly, and Ugarte’s tournament ended there.
United confirmed the procedure was completed successfully and that their medical and performance staff have already begun supervising his recovery.
