Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered a suspected long-term knee injury during Uruguay's World Cup elimination match against Spain on June 27, 2026.
The defensive midfielder twisted his knee in an accidental collision with teammate Mathias Olivera in the 44th minute.
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He left the pitch in tears on a stretcher after winning three ground duels and completing a tackle.
According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United executives fear structural damage. Team officials are trying to contact Ugarte's representatives to evaluate the extent of the issue.
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The club had designated Ugarte as a primary sellable asset to fund a midfield rebuild. However, prospective buyers are expected to halt negotiations until his rehabilitation concludes.
Advanced medical scans are scheduled early next week to determine if surgery is needed.
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Manchester United's recruitment team must now focus on offloading other fringe players to salvage their summer transfer budget.
