Manchester United are waiting for the full details of midfielder Manuel Ugarte’s injury after he was stretchered off during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat by Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Multiple reports say the incident happened shortly before half-time in Guadalajara, when Ugarte suffered a serious knee problem following a collision while playing for Uruguay. Uruguay’s exit from the group stage was confirmed after the match, with the team finishing third after drawing with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde and losing to Spain.
According to reports from Uruguay and UK outlets, tests have confirmed a knee ligament injury, described in some accounts as torn cruciate ligaments. Further medical assessment is expected as Ugarte returns to his club for treatment. Several outlets also report expectations that the injury will keep him sidelined for an extended period, with potential knock-on effects for Manchester United’s squad planning and possible transfer considerations.
Manchester United’s immediate focus is determining the injury’s exact severity and timeline, while Uruguay’s tournament run ends with the group-stage defeat to Spain.
