Manchester United have confirmed that Manuel Ugarte has undergone successful surgery on the knee-ligament injury he suffered at the World Cup.
The midfielder sustained the injury while representing Uruguay and was stretchered off during their tournament exit.
United have not provided a recovery timeframe or confirmed the precise ligament affected.
Ugarte will now begin his rehabilitation at Carrington under the supervision of the club’s medical and performance staff.
“Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has undergone successful surgery to address a knee-ligament injury,” the club said in its official update.
“He will now begin the rehabilitation stage of his recovery and will be carefully managed by the club’s medical and performance staff.”
Ugarte absence increases midfield pressure
The successful operation represents the first important stage of Ugarte’s recovery, but he is expected to miss the beginning of Michael Carrick’s first full season in charge.
United must avoid placing a firm return date on the midfielder before his rehabilitation progresses.
His absence has already influenced the club’s summer business. Casemiro has left Old Trafford, while United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to rebuild the centre of the pitch.
ReadManUtd previously examined how Ugarte’s injury increased the need for another athletic midfielder.
United still plan to make a third midfield addition, with Carrick requiring a player capable of covering ground and protecting transitions.
Ugarte made 22 Premier League appearances last season, starting eight. His defensive aggression and ball-winning would have offered Carrick another option during the early months of the campaign.
The immediate priority is now recovery rather than his place within the rebuilt squad.
United have confirmed that the surgery was successful, but further updates will be required before supporters receive a reliable indication of when Ugarte could return to training.
