Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte faces spell on sidelines with knee injury
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be out of action for an extended period after sustaining a knee ligament injury during Uruguay‘s World Cup match against Spain. The incident occurred during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat, which led to their elimination from the tournament.
Ugarte, who is 25 years old, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher shortly before half-time. He appeared to twist his knee awkwardly while attempting to close down Spain midfielder Pedri. The full extent and severity of the injury are still being assessed to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timeline.
The injury is a setback for Ugarte, whose career at Old Trafford has not yet gained significant momentum since his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. He joined Manchester United in a deal worth €50m. During the 2025-26 season, he started eight Premier League matches, with only one of those starts coming in the final 16 league games for the club.
Ugarte’s last appearance for Manchester United was on 13 April, when he started in a home Premier League defeat by Leeds. Since his arrival in 2024 for a reported £50.8m, he has not consistently reached the performance levels anticipated by the club. Prior to his injury, it was widely expected that he might move on this summer, either on a permanent transfer or a loan deal.
Midfield Reinforcement Plans
The injury to Ugarte has introduced uncertainty into Manchester United‘s summer transfer plans, particularly concerning their midfield. The club had prioritised strengthening this area of the squad, with an expectation of adding at least two or three new players.
Manchester United has already agreed a £35m deal for Atalanta‘s Ederson. However, plans for the 26-year-old to undergo his medical before the start of pre-season training on 9 July were postponed. This was due to Ederson receiving a late call-up to Brazil‘s World Cup squad. The intention now is for Ederson’s medical to take place after Brazil‘s campaign concludes, followed by a mandatory three-week rest period before he reports to Carrington.
The club had also shown interest in Elliot Anderson but withdrew from discussions. This decision was made after the transfer fee and wages required to sign him from Nottingham Forest became clear. Talks with West Ham regarding Portugal international Mateus Fernandes have not yet resulted in an agreement on a fee, with Tottenham also reportedly interested in the former Southampton player.
Other Midfield Targets
Manchester United also holds a positive view of Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott. Scott was among four players who travelled with England for their pre-World Cup training camp, although he was not ultimately selected for Thomas Tuchel‘s squad. Additionally, United had a bid for Cameroon international Carlos Baleba turned down by Brighton last summer.
The potential impact of Ugarte’s lengthy injury on the financial resources available to Manchester United for acquiring new players remains to be seen. Uruguay‘s football federation stated that they would continue to work together through the evaluation process to confirm the full extent and severity of the injury.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
