Manuel Ugarte suffers knee injury as Man Utd fear long lay-off

Manuel Ugarte sustained a suspected long-term knee injury during Uruguay's World Cup exit, leaving the Manchester United midfielder stretchered off in tears after an accidental collision with team-mate Mathias Olivera. Ugarte lasted 44 minutes, having looked sharp after a tackle and winning all three ground duels, before twisting his knee and leaving the pitch in visible distress as Uruguay crashed out to Spain.

Old Trafford officials are growing increasingly anxious about the initial prognosis. Journalist Fabrizio Romano says United strongly fear the midfielder has suffered significant damage and are waiting to establish contact with the player's camp to fully assess the structural injury, a development that has unsettled the club's medical and recruitment departments.

The timing threatens to upend United's summer transfer plans.

Uruguay, Old Trafford

manuel ugarte, knee injury, manchester united, uruguay, world cup, mathias olivera, fabrizio romano, stretchered off, transfer plans, old trafford