Manchester United have confirmed that a player has a serious injury, which might affect their transfer plans.
Manchester United shared some tough news recently: one of their players has a serious knee ligament injury.
While many top footballers are busy playing at the World Cup, clubs are already working on transfers for the 2026/27 season. Unlike most European leagues, the Premier League transfer window opened early on June 15, letting teams complete deals before pre-season starts.
But there’s always a worry that players could get hurt at the World Cup, and sadly, that’s what happened to Manchester United. Manuel Ugarte, 25, got injured during Uruguay’s last group game against Spain. He was carried off on a stretcher after a painful challenge late in the first half.
Fans from both United and Uruguay quickly feared it was bad news. The club confirmed that Ugarte has a serious knee ligament injury and might be out for a long time. Manchester United said they are still checking the injury to figure out the best treatment and recovery plan. Everyone wishes Manuel a speedy recovery and the club will support him all the way.
While it’s not clear exactly how long he’ll be sidelined, reports say it could take 9-12 months to recover. Ugarte is one of 13 United players representing their countries in the World Cup, including captain Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo, and Marcus Rashford.
Since joining United from Paris Saint-Germain for about £43.1m, plus £8.6m in add-ons, Ugarte has started to find his spot in the team. He played in six of the last 16 Premier League games last season, starting once.
There was talk he might leave United this summer if the right offer came in, but now the injury means he won’t be moving on. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said this news could change United’s summer plans.
It’s also likely the injury will affect United’s plans to bring new players in. With Ugarte injured and Casemiro gone after his contract ended, United might need to act fast to strengthen their midfield. They’re already working on signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, despite competition from Tottenham Hotspur. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Southampton’s Shea Charles are other midfielders linked with United recently.
United fans will hope for the best as the club adjusts to this unexpected challenge.