Manuel Ugarte has been stretchered off for Uruguay at the World Cup with what looks to be a bad knee injury.
The Manchester United star was involved in an awkward challenge moments before Spain took the lead with the midfielder appearing to hurt his knee.
He was swiftly taken off on a stretcher and was captured in visible discomfort. He was also pictured inconsolable with his shirt over his head as emotions clearly took their toll.
The challenge on Ugarte was actually from his own team-mate as he and Mathias Olivera went in to try and win the ball. The latter got their first and in the follow-through fell on Ugarte’s outstretched leg.
Ugarte immediately screamed out in pain and while Uruguay wanted the ball put out, Spain continued playing and opened the scoring as Alex Baena’s tame effort bounced over Fernando Muslera, who was later brutally hooked off by Marcelo Bielsa.
Nicolas de la Cruz was brought on for the injured Ugarte with the potentially major issue set to impact United.
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The former Paris-Saint-Germain midfielder is expected to depart Old Trafford this summer but is unlikely to be bought by any club if he has suffered a long-term injury.
It has been a difficult last few seasons for Ugarte with starts rare for United. He has been key to Bielsa however, having started all of their World Cup group games.
The 25-year-old has transfer interest from Serie A but those teams linked are likely to wait for the full diagnosis of his injury.
View 2 ImagesEderson looks to be Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte replacement
United are expected to strengthen in midfield this summer with Ederson set to join from Atalanta while Mateus Fernandes of West Ham is another concrete target.
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Tottenham are also interested and appear more capable of affording his asking price and wage demands. Financial reasons have already seen United lose out on the signing of Elliot Anderson with bitter rivals Manchester City agreeing a £116million deal to sign him from Nottingham Forest.
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