Manchester United have confirmed that Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte has suffered knee ligament damage following Uruguay’s World Cup match against Spain.
Ugarte was forced off on a stretcher during the opening half after twisting awkwardly while going in on a tackle that came in the lead-up to Spain’s winning goal in Guadalajara.
The 25-year-old left the pitch with his head in his hands, and early reports indicate he may be ruled out for several months.
Uruguay’s medical staff examined him on Saturday, with the next stage of the assessment set to take place in Manchester as he travels there for further tests.
In a statement released on Sunday, Manchester United said: “Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay in Friday’s World Cup group-stage match against Spain.”
The club added that the medical evaluation is still underway to establish the best treatment plan and the expected timeline for rehabilitation.
“Everyone wishes Manuel a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way,” Manchester United said.
Ugarte’s position at Old Trafford now appears in doubt, with his recent involvement already limited after he failed to make an appearance for Michael Carrick’s side following their defeat against Leeds in April.
The midfielder joined United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 and has found the net twice across 69 appearances in all competitions.
