Manchester United confirms successful surgery for Ugarte

[Getty Images] Manchester United have confirmed that Manuel Ugarte's knee surgery was successful, marking a positive step after his cruciate ligament injury suffered during Uruguay's World Cup defeat by Spain last month. The 25-year-old midfielder now faces a lengthy rehabilitation period.

The 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined into 2027, meaning he will miss the next two seasons for the club.

"Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has undergone successful surgery to address a knee ligament injury," the club said, adding that Ugarte will now begin the rehabilitation stage of his recovery and will be carefully managed by the club's medical and performance staff.

It had been anticipated that Ugarte, who joined United from Paris St-Germain in a £50.8m deal in 2024, would move on this summer as the Old Trafford outfit reshaped their midfield.

That transfer will not happen as he instead focuses on recovering from what he has described as "the most serious injury a footballer can face".

Ugarte's injury, sustained in the World Cup match, was described by the player as the most serious he has ever faced, and his rehabilitation will be overseen at the club's facilities in Trafford.

The successful operation removes the immediate medical uncertainty for United, allowing the club to plan its midfield options without the need to replace Ugarte in the short term.