MANUEL UGARTE’s injury could cost Manchester United a third new midfielder.
The funds drummed up from Ugarte’s expected sale to Serie A suitors were set to bankroll further arrivals.
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Manuel Ugarte suffered a horror injury as Uruguay crashed out of the World Cup Credit: Getty
Ugarte has endured a poor couple of seasons with United and started only ten games last term Credit: Getty
But Ugarte’s horror blow during Uruguay‘s nightmare 1-0 defeat to Spain has torn up United’s summer transfer blueprint.
The 25-year-old was carried away in floods of tears following a devastating first-half knee injury in Uruguay‘s must-win clash against Euro champs Spain.
Ugarte clattered into his own teammate Mathias Olivera and his studs became stuck in the turf before Olivera fell onto the United man’s outstretched leg.
As Ugarte screamed out in agony, Spain ignored Uruguay‘s pleas to stop play—pressing on to score as Alex Baena’s scuffed effort bobbled past keeper Fernando Muslera.
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The goal dumped Uruguay out of the World Cup in disgrace, sealing back-to-back group-stage humiliations before Agustin Canobbio saw red for a horror high tackle on Pau Cubarsi.
But back in Manchester, United chiefs are sweating bullets as they face an anxious wait for news on Ugarte’s knee disaster.
Ugarte was expected to depart Old Trafford this summer, but is unlikely to be bought by any club if he has suffered an ACL tear.
United were desperate to offload Ugarte to clear the decks for a third midfield signing, having already wrapped up a deal for Atalanta ace Ederson and lined up a raid for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
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Since Michael Carrick took the reins at in January, Ugarte has firmly been on the periphery Credit: Reuters
But United are now set to be lumbered with a massive wage-drainer who can neither lace his boots or generate a transfer fee.
He has attracted transfer attention from Serie A but those clubs linked will almost certainly await the complete assessment of his injury.
United sources believe the biggest stumbling block to shifting Ugarte is his £120,000 weekly salary.
United would require a fee of £25.38m to avoid a loss on Ugarte under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules.
The cost of a player is spread across the length of their contract and Ugarte’s deal expires in 2029.
Since Michael Carrick took the reins at in January, Ugarte has firmly been on the periphery.
He has not played a single minute for United since their defeat against Leeds United in April, when he was forced to start in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo.
It has been a challenging last few seasons for Ugarte with starting opportunities limited.
Financial constraints have already cost United Elliot Anderson, with bitter rivals Man City securing a £116m agreement to bring him in from Nottingham Forest.
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This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought.
But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance.
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