MANCHESTER UNITED will be fearing the worst after Manuel Ugarte was spotted leaving the World Cup in a wheelchair.
The midfielder, 25, needed to be stretchered off following a horror injury in the first half of Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat to Spain.
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Manuel Ugarte was left in a heap during Uruguay’s loss to Spain Credit: Alamy
The Manchester United man fought back tears as he was stretchered off Credit: AP
The loss, courtesy of a clanger from keeper Fernando Muslera, extinguished the South Americans’ hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages.
And the tournament ended on an even more difficult note for Ugarte as he needed to be carted off.
He was seen fighting back tears after an attempted challenge on Pedri left him in agony.
Replays appeared to show Ugarte getting his studs caught in the turf before team-mate Mathias Olivera fell on him.
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Man Utd ace Manuel Ugarte stretchered off and fights back tears at World Cup
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The stricken star was then seen leaving the stadium in Guadalajara in a wheelchair, with his left leg covered.
The severity of the injury has not been confirmed by the Uruguayan Football Association.
But United will be concerned that Ugarte is facing a lengthy spell out of action.
A long-term absence could have a serious impact on the Red Devils’ transfer plans.
Ugarte appeared to get his studs caught in the turf as he attempted to tackle Pedri Credit: Alamy
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The Red Devils had intended to offload Ugarte after gaining interest from Serie A.
Funds from the exit were going to be put towards landing a third midfielder, after already tying up a deal for Ederson and lining up a move for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
But admirers will not be prepared to splash the cash if Ugarte is going to be unavailable at the start of the new season.
United had already decided they were prepared to make a loss in order to get him through the exit door.
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There has been an acceptance that they will not recoup close to the initial £42.3million fee they spent to lure him away from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
Ugarte, who was limited to just ten starts in all competitions last term, has struggled to live up to expectations at Old Trafford.
