Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is expected to be out for a significant period of time after damaging knee ligaments while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.
It turns out that Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury during the World Cup.
Manuel Ugarte suffered a torn cruciate ligament in Uruguay’s final World Cup match against Spain and is likely to be sidelined for a considerable period of time.
The Manchester United midfielder landed awkwardly just before the half-time interval during Friday’s match and was stretchered off the field after lengthy treatment. It was then revealed that Ugarte, distraught as he left the pitch, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, meaning the 25-year-old will be out for an extended period of time.
According to reports in Uruguay, the news that the MRI scan has confirmed the prognosis will be a blow to both the player and Manchester United.
The club subsequently released a statement confirming that Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury at the World Cup, but gave no details on when he would be expected to return, adding that the injury assessment was still ongoing.
A statement read: “Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte sustained a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay in Friday’s World Cup group stage match against Spain.”
“Evaluation of the injury is ongoing to determine the optimal course of treatment and duration of rehabilitation.
“Everyone is praying for Manuel’s recovery and we will support him every step of the way.”
Ugarte’s long-term future at Manchester United was uncertain ahead of the World Cup
Ugarte joined Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, but there have been suggestions that he is likely to be released this summer as part of United’s plans to revamp their midfield. However, given the severity of Ugarte’s injury, that now seems unlikely.
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder started all three of Uruguay’s matches at the World Cup. They lost 1-0 to Spain, gaining just two points from their three Group H games, and were forced into an early exit.
Ugarte only started eight Premier League games for United last season, making no appearances after the home defeat to Leeds in mid-April.
He also posted on social media on Sunday, admitting that he had suffered “the most serious injury a footballer can face” and had hit “rock bottom”.
Ugarte left the pitch devastated (Image: ALFREDO ESTRELLA, AFP via Getty Images)
“It’s been a few days since everything happened. To see a footballer suffer the most serious injury ever faced in one of the most important games in the history of his country and end up like this, unable to stay on the pitch and cheer on his teammates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me forever,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Definitely when life wants me to stop, it finds a way to let me know. It’s up to me to take the positives from it. Success in life is about starting over again every time I fall.” I’m incredibly grateful to @aufofficial and @manutd who have been there for me from the moment it happened. A huge thank you to my family, friends and everyone who has sent me messages of support during this time.
“I’ll come back even stronger.”
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