Ugarte out long‑term after knee ligament damage

Manchester United have confirmed that Manuel Ugarte faces a lengthy absence after suffering a knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Spain. The midfielder was stretchered off in clear distress, covering his face as teammates reacted sombrely to the incident. United verified the severity of the damage on Sunday, stating that specialists are assessing the injury to determine treatment and a rehabilitation plan.

According to The Athletic, Ugarte is expected to miss the first half of the season, leaving United without a key defensive presence in midfield. Although Ugarte has struggled for minutes under Michael Carrick, starting only once in 2026, he remained indispensable for Uruguay, featuring in every match before his tournament ended abruptly. United expressed full support for his recovery, but must now identify solutions in midfield as they prepare for the new campaign. The injury marks a significant setback for both club and country.