Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury during the World Cup, ruling him out for months, as his team-mates send messages of support after he admitted hitting ‘rock bottom’
Manuel Ugarte admitted he hit rock bottom after suffering ‘the most serious injury a footballer can face’ as Uruguay crashed out of the World Cup, following defeat to Spain. The Manchester United star is set for months on the sidelines after being confirmed to have a knee ligament injury.
Ugarte was in visible distress as he was stretchered off the pitch at Estadio Guadalajara and the 25-year-old has noted that the moment will remain with him for the rest of his life.
The full severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, with United releasing a statement saying: “Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timescale”.
Ugarte has spoken out over his tragic news, as he returns to Europe to begin his rehabilitation. “A few days have passed since everything happened,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Suffering the most serious injury a footballer can face 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 pitch and support my teammates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“Hitting rock bottom will make me stronger in every sense, and I truly believe that’s the case here. Without a doubt, when life wants you to stop, it finds a way to let you know.
“It’s up to me to take the positives from this. Success in life is about starting again every time you fall.
“I’m incredibly grateful to @aufoficial and @manutd for being there for me from the moment it happened. A huge thank you as well to my family, my friends, and everyone who has sent me messages of support during this time. I’ll be back stronger.”
Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Tyler Fletcher all responded to Ugarte’s message, and offered their support. “All here for you, brother,” said Mount.
Dalot wrote: “Together brother.” Shaw added: “We are with you, brother.”
De Ligt, Dorgu and others showed their solidarity with red heart emojis, while Tottenham star Pedro Porro offered: “I love you, brother.”
Ugarte had been expected to leave United this summer, after failing to break into Michael Carrick’s plans in the latter half of the season. The former Paris Saint-Germain ace has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford since joining the club in 2024.
United have already lost Casemiro after the Brazilian chose to end his stay in the Premier League, and will not be able to call on Ugarte for a number of months. His departure would have helped facilitate their transfer business this summer.
The club have prioritised signing a midfielder and have agreed a deal with Atalanta to bring Brazilian star Ederson in. They have also been linked with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
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