Manuel Ugarte and several of Uruguay’s biggest stars have reportedly confronted head coach Marcelo Bielsa ahead of a must-win World Cup group stage match against Spain. According to ESPN Uruguay, relayed by Cope, the Manchester United midfielder is part of a group of players who are openly pushing back against Bielsa’s methods.
Uruguay is sitting on the edge of elimination after two draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Neither result looked great on paper, and the performances weren’t much better. Saudi Arabia nearly beat them in the opener before a late equalizer from Maxi Araújo saved a point. Then Cape Verde fought back for a 2-2 draw that left Uruguay needing a result against Spain just to stay alive.
That frustration boiled over behind the scenes.
The revolt inside the camp
The report says Ugarte, Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and Internacional goalkeeper Sergio Rochet requested a meeting with Bielsa before the Spain game. They told him they didn’t like his tactical approach and felt the intensity in training was causing injuries. They also urged Bielsa to switch to a low block and hit Spain on the counter.
Bielsa didn’t take it well. He called a team meeting that lasted 48 minutes and pushed back hard. According to the report, he criticized the players for trying to get him fired multiple times and pointed out that he built careers for guys like Sebastian Caceres and Araújo. He also admitted he brought injured players to the World Cup but said their loyalty to him was why they made the squad.
How we got here
This tension has been building for months. Bielsa has a reputation for obsessive preparation and grinding training sessions. That works when results come. When they don’t, players start tuning out. And after two flat group stage performances, the pressure is hitting from both sides.
Uruguay’s group was supposed to be manageable. Spain is always tough, but Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde were winnable games. Now Uruguay needs a positive result against one of the best teams in the tournament just to have a chance at the knockout round. Spain is not the opponent you want when your locker room is split.
Ugarte is expected to start despite the drama and his own uneven play in the first two matches. He hasn’t looked sharp on the ball, which is the same issue that got him benched at times for United this season.
Speaking of United, Ugarte’s future at Old Trafford is also shaky. The club is open to offers this summer. He has not lived up to the billing since arriving, and United needs the money to reinvest in a midfielder who fits the Premier League’s pace better. The World Cup was supposed to be a chance for him to rebuild his value. Instead, he’s at the center of a mutiny.
Uruguay faces Spain in Guadalajara early Saturday morning. If Bielsa can’t get his players back on board, the flight home will come a lot sooner than anyone expected.
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