Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is expected to be out for much of next season following a knee injury sustained during Uruguay's final game at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old was replaced at the end of the first half against Spain after his knee twisted during a challenge, and he was stretchered off in an attempt to rob the ball from Pedri Gonzalez.
Ugarte's injury is serious, with a diagnosis indicating that he will be out of action for eight months to a year, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
This news comes as Manchester United was already on the hunt for a new holding midfielder to replace Casemiro, who left the club as a free agent.
The injury will likely alter Manchester United's plans for the upcoming season, as the team will now need to find another player to fill the void left by Casemiro, without the added budget provided by a potential sale of Ugarte.
Ugarte's recovery will be closely monitored, and depending on how it goes, he may be forced to target a return for the 2027-28 campaign.
The loss of Ugarte for an extended period will be a significant blow to Manchester United, as he was expected to fight for more minutes next season.
However, the team will now need to regroup and find a new midfielder to fill the gap left by Casemiro and potentially Ugarte.
The injury will require Ugarte to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation period, and his return to the pitch will depend on his progress.
Manchester United will need to adapt to the loss of Ugarte and find a suitable replacement to fill the void in their midfield.
The team's plans for the season will need to be reassessed in light of Ugarte's injury, and they will need to find a way to compensate for his absence.
