Manuel Ugarte: Manchester United confirmed the midfielder has a knee ligament injury

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has said he has just suffered "the most serious injury a player can suffer" while playing at the World Cup for Uruguay. The club have confirmed that the 25-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury in Uruguay's loss to Spain in Guadalajara on Friday. Ugarte turned suddenly while trying to make a tackle in the situation that led to Spain's decisive goal and had to leave the field on a stretcher. He was assessed by Uruguay's medical team on Saturday and will return to Manchester for further tests before United officials decide on the best course of treatment. Multiple reports from Uruguayan media said Ugarte had suffered a cruciate ligament injury, which would keep him out of action for a long time. On Instagram on Sunday, Ugarte added weight to these claims. "Experiencing the most serious injury a player can suffer 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 field to support his teammates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me for life," he said. However, he affirmed that he will "come back stronger" after this shock. "Falling to the bottom will make me stronger in every sense, and I truly believe that. There is no doubt that when life wants you to stop, it finds a way to inform you. My job is to draw positives from this. Success in life is starting over every time you fall," he added. However, United will wait for the results of their tests before accepting such a gloomy scenario. "Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay in Friday's World Cup group match against Spain," the club said. "Evaluation of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and recovery time. Everyone wishes Manuel a speedy recovery and we will support him every step of the way." Ugarte went into the World Cup knowing he would likely be a transfer target as United had prioritized improving their midfield. The £50.8m transfer from Paris St-Germain in 2024 has failed to live up to expectations during his time at Old Trafford, and his last appearance was when he started in the home defeat to Leeds on April 13. Many had predicted he would leave this summer, either permanently or on loan. Now those plans are in doubt, with United's minds focused on player health. United have made strengthening their midfield a priority this summer, with the expectation that at least two or three new players will be added. The club have agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta's Ederson. However, plans for the 26-year-old to undergo a medical before starting pre-season training on July 9 had to be canceled when Ederson was called up as part of Brazil's World Cup squad. Now the intention is for Ederson to undergo a medical when Brazil's campaign ends and then return to Carrington after the mandatory three-week break. United had also been interested in Elliot Anderson but withdrew from discussions when the huge cost, both in transfer fees and wages, they would have to pay to take him away from Nottingham Forest became clear. Negotiations with West Ham over Portuguese international Mateus Fernandes have yet to result in an agreement on a fee, while Tottenham are also interested in the former Southampton player. United also rate Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who was one of four players who traveled with England in their pre-World Cup training camp despite not being selected in Thomas Tuchel's squad, and they had a bid rejected last summer with Brighton for Cameroon international Carlos Baleba. It remains to be seen whether Ugarte's long-term injury will affect the amount of money United have available to buy players.

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