Manchester United gives update on Manuel Ugarte's injury

Manchester United Confirm Manuel Ugarte Suffers Knee Ligament Injury at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Manuel Ugarte sustained a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay during their 1-0 defeat to Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 25-year-old was forced off on a stretcher before half-time after an awkward collision with teammate Mathías Olivera. Ugarte left the pitch in visible pain, raising immediate concerns over the severity of the injury.

Following medical assessments, Manchester United released an official statement confirming that the midfielder suffered ligament damage to his knee. The club added that further evaluations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the injury, the most appropriate treatment, and his rehabilitation timeline.

As of now, the Premier League club has not confirmed whether the injury involves the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or another ligament in the knee. However, if scans reveal significant damage, Ugarte could face an extended spell on the sidelines.

The club’s statement read:

“Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury whilst representing Uruguay in Friday’s World Cup group-stage match against Spain. Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timescale. Everyone wishes Manuel a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way.”

The injury is a significant setback for both Manchester United and Uruguay. Ugarte had featured in all three of Uruguay’s FIFA World Cup group-stage matches before his tournament came to an unfortunate end.

Manchester United will now closely monitor the outcome of his medical evaluations as they prepare for the new season, with the midfielder’s availability likely to depend on the severity of the ligament damage and the length of his recovery.