Manuel Ugarte was carried off on a stretcher shortly before half-time, tugging his shirt over his face, after twisting awkwardly while closing down Spain midfielder Pedri. The 25-year-old Manchester United midfielder had just sustained what he later described as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” – a knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s 1-0 World Cup defeat by Spain in Guadalajara on Friday.
United have confirmed the injury, which occurred in the build-up to Spain’s winning goal. “Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timescale,” the club said in a statement. Numerous reports from Uruguay media claim Ugarte has suffered a cruciate ligament injury, which would rule him out for a number of months. Privately, United are braced for the worst, though they will wait for their own tests before accepting that bleak scenario.
“Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury playing for Uruguay at the World Cup, likely ruling him out for months.”
Ugarte, who started all three of Uruguay’s World Cup group games, was distraught as he left the pitch. On Sunday, he posted on Instagram: “Suffering the most serious injury a footballer can face in one of the most important matches in my country’s history, and seeing it end this way without being able to stay on the pitch and support my team-mates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” But he vowed to “be back stronger”, adding: “Hitting rock bottom will make me stronger in every sense, and I truly believe that’s the case here. Without a doubt, when life wants you to stop, it finds a way to let you know.”
The injury is another blow for Ugarte, whose United career has yet to gain momentum since his £50.8m arrival from Paris St-Germain in 2024. He started eight Premier League matches in 2025-26 and only once during the club’s final 16 league games, his last appearance coming in the home defeat by Leeds on 13 April. He had gone into the World Cup knowing he was likely to be in the shop window, with United prioritising a midfield revamp this summer and having already agreed a £35m deal for Atalanta’s Ederson. Now those plans are in doubt, with thoughts at United focused on the player’s wellbeing.
Uruguay, two-time World Cup champions, were eliminated with the defeat, finishing third in Group H on two points. United’s statement concluded: “Everyone wishes Manuel a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way.” For Ugarte, the road back is just beginning.