Uruguay Star Ugarte Carried Off in Tears as World Cup Exit Compounds Man United’s Problems

Manuel Ugarte’s World Cup ended with him weeping under his shirt, sprawled on a stretcher, while Spain celebrated a goal on the opposite end of the field. It was that kind of night for Uruguay. And for Manchester United.

The 25-year-old midfielder collided with his own teammate Mathias Olivera while chasing Spain’s Pedri just before halftime at Estadio Akron in Mexico. Ugarte’s studs caught the turf awkwardly. His knee buckled. He went down immediately and stayed down.

Medical staff ran on. Teammates crowded around. Spain kept playing. Alex Baena scored moments later, helped by a Fernando Muslera error, while Ugarte was still receiving treatment. Brutal timing.

Ugarte wiped at his eyes as they loaded him onto the stretcher. He pulled his jersey over his face. The crowd at the World Cup group-stage match went quiet in that way crowds do when they realize something serious just happened.

A red card and a group-stage exit

The game got uglier from there. In stoppage time, Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio picked up a straight red card as tempers flared. The 1-0 loss knocked Uruguay out of the tournament. Spain won the group. Cape Verde somehow moved through in second place. Uruguay’s two points weren’t enough to grab one of the best third-place spots.

So a brutal night turned into an early flight home.

What this means for Man United

Here’s where it gets complicated for United. Ugarte only made eight Premier League starts last season. Just one after Michael Carrick took over as coach. The club paid £50 million for him in 2024, and there were whispers they’d try to move him this summer. Serie A teams had been mentioned as possible destinations.

Those whispers might go quiet now. A serious knee injury — the club has not confirmed the extent — makes a summer sale far less likely. And even if United wanted to offload him, they were never going to recoup that full £50 million fee. Now they might be stuck with a midfielder who can’t play until winter.

Spain had their own injury scares Friday. Yeremy Pino left with what looked like a broken collarbone after a nasty fall. Nico Williams was seen limping after the final whistle. But they’re the ones moving on. Uruguay is heading home, and one of their best players might not walk off a plane the same way he got on it.