Manchester United's tough midfielder suffered a serious injury during the World Cup and was carried off the field, suspected of an ACL tear, with tears streaming down his face. The summer transfer may now fall through.

Manchester United had hoped that Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte would deliver an impressive World Cup performance to draw interest from other teams for a transfer. However, that aspiration has already been dashed. Uruguay's national team lost 0-1 to Spain in the final group-stage match, resulting in their elimination. During the match, Ugarte sustained a non-contact injury, likely involving his knee cruciate ligament, and was forced to be carried off the pitch, sobbing on the stretcher.

Ugarte started this game again, but Marcelo Bielsa's team had numerous issues. Just before halftime, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera made a basic error—a "butterfingers" mistake—causing the team to fall 0-1 behind. Shortly after, Uruguayan players surrounded Spanish midfielder Pedri. Ugarte did not actually intercept the opponent, but as he lunged forward, his right leg swept through empty air, apparently twisting his knee cruciate ligament.

The 25-year-old Manchester United midfielder was stretchered off the pitch, covering his face with his hands and jersey, tears streaming down. U.S. media analysis suggests he may have suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

The anterior cruciate ligament acts like a strong cord, limiting the forward sliding of the shin bone relative to the thigh bone. When the knee twists or turns, the ACL helps control the joint and prevents excessive rotation of the lower leg. Therefore, this area is particularly prone to injury during sudden stops, changes of direction, or jumps.

Ugarte's movement is a classic pattern that can damage the cruciate ligament: suddenly decelerating and changing direction places immense strain on the ligament. Moreover, his body's center of gravity was too far back, significantly increasing the risk of an ACL tear. Statistics show that about 70% of ACL injuries occur without contact with another player, but rather from uncontrolled body movements.

If Ugarte is diagnosed with an ACL injury, he will face a long-term absence of three to six months. This means Manchester United's plan to sell him in the summer transfer window will be directly thwarted, as no club would sign a player who is seriously injured and may even require surgery.

As a result, Carrick's plan to bring in a third midfield newcomer this summer may collapse. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS team also faces a dilemma: with Ugarte sidelined, if the club only signs two new midfielders, the squad may lack depth for the new season, leaving only the two new players and Kobbie Mainoo as options. Nevertheless, Carrick could consider moving Mason Mount deeper or using academy players.

After joining Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain for €60 million, Ugarte seems to have activated a "jinx." He has almost never delivered a satisfactory performance at the Red Devils; last season, the team won only one match when he played. This World Cup, he claimed to have fully prepared during the off-season, but Uruguay's performance was poor, and there was even a rift between the manager and the players.

According to "GiveMeSport," before the match against Spain, Ugarte, along with Federico Valverde, Rochet, and Rodrigo Bentancur, called a meeting with the coach. They expressed dissatisfaction with Bielsa's tough training sessions and demanded tactical adjustments. Ironically, one of Ugarte's complaints was that high-intensity training during a tournament format increases the risk of injuries!

But Bielsa, nicknamed "El Loco," would not back down easily. In response during the team meeting, he refused to adopt a defensive strategy against Spain and insisted on high pressing. Bielsa also accused the players of trying to force him out because he had not selected Luis Suárez and Nahitan Nández, pushing for his dismissal.