Manchester United's midfield crisis has deepened after Manuel Ugarte suffered what the 25-year-old described as "the most serious injury a footballer can face" on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain. The club is yet to confirm the extent of the knee ligament damage, but it is thought Ugarte sustained cruciate damage that would sideline him for the rest of 2026 at least, ruling out any chance of a sale after he had been expected to leave this summer.
With Casemiro's contract expiring on 30 June and Ugarte now out for the long term, United have been scrambling to reinforce a position where Kobbie Mainoo is the only recognised central midfielder. In the transfer market, they have encountered repeated failures.
“Manchester United's midfield crisis deepens after Ugarte's severe injury and failed transfers for Anderson and Fernandes.”
On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for England international Elliot Anderson, United's number one midfield target. Then, on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club record £85m for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes. United had pushed hard to sign the Portuguese and genuinely believed he was attainable. But once Spurs showed interest, West Ham, under new direction through co-chair Daniel Kretinsky, stuck to a valuation in excess of £80m. United would have been willing to offer £85m including add-ons but felt that if they had, Spurs would have immediately gone to £90m. It is this kind of situation they are keen to avoid.
United have agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, but his late call-up to the national team means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti's side are out of the World Cup. Like all United's World Cup players, he will then get a minimum of three weeks off, meaning he is unlikely to be available for the start of pre-season.
As a result, when boss Michael Carrick's senior group return for testing and pre-season training on 9 July, the only midfielder among them will be Mason Mount, who is viewed as more of an offensive player. Of the eight first-team midfielders listed on United's website, Carrick's other options are Toby Collyer, who is wanted by Hull, and Dan Gore, who spent last season on loan at Rotherham after they were relegated.
Now Chelsea's Andrey Santos – signed from Vasco da Gama for £18m in 2023 – has emerged as the latest player on United's radar as they desperately seek a solution. But with time running out before their first friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July, the club faces an uphill battle to field a competitive midfield next season.