By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, August 7, 2026 - Manchester United are set to receive significant financial relief following Manuel Ugarte's serious injury on international duty, with FIFA expected to cover around 80 percent of the midfielder's reported £150,000-a-week salary through its Club Protection Programme.
The Uruguay international suffered a major knee ligament injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ruling him out for an extended period and forcing Manchester United to rethink both their midfield plans and their summer transfer strategy. Under FIFA's compensation scheme for players injured while representing their national teams, the world governing body will reimburse the club for a substantial portion of Ugarte's wages while he remains unavailable.
A Huge Blow for Manchester United#
Ugarte's injury came during Uruguay's World Cup campaign, where the midfielder sustained significant knee ligament damage that required surgery.
The injury immediately ended any realistic possibility of the 25-year-old leaving Old Trafford during the current transfer window. Reports suggest Manchester United had been open to offers as they looked to reshape their midfield, but the severity of the injury meant any potential transfer plans were put on hold.
Instead, the club's focus has shifted entirely toward his rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
How FIFA's Club Protection Programme Works#
The financial support comes through FIFA's Club Protection Programme, a scheme designed to compensate clubs when players suffer serious injuries while representing their national teams.
The programme applies when a player is ruled out for more than 28 consecutive days because of an injury sustained during official international duty.
Rather than leaving clubs to carry the full financial burden, FIFA contributes toward the player's fixed salary, subject to limits established under the programme. In Ugarte's case, the reimbursement is expected to amount to approximately £120,000 per week, roughly 80 percent of his reported £150,000 weekly wage.
While the compensation significantly reduces Manchester United's wage bill during Ugarte's absence, it does not replace what the midfielder offers on the pitch.
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The Uruguayan remains one of the club's most combative midfielders, valued for his ball-winning ability, defensive awareness and intensity in central areas.
His absence leaves United with fewer experienced options in midfield and could force the coaching staff to rely more heavily on alternative players during the opening months of the season.
Before the injury, reports indicated Manchester United were prepared to listen to offers for Ugarte as part of a broader squad rebuild.
His long-term injury effectively removed that possibility, meaning the club must now retain the midfielder while overseeing his recovery.
Although FIFA's compensation eases the financial impact, United also lose the opportunity to generate a transfer fee that could have been reinvested elsewhere in the squad.
Ugarte joined Manchester United after spells with Fénix, Famalicão, Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain, arriving with a reputation as one of Europe's best defensive midfielders.
Known for his aggressive tackling, positional discipline and ability to recover possession, he quickly became an important option in midfield. However, injuries and competition for places have made his time at Old Trafford more challenging than anticipated.
The latest setback represents the biggest obstacle of his United career.
Following successful surgery, Ugarte has begun his rehabilitation programme, although Manchester United have not announced a timetable for his return.
Recovering from serious knee ligament injuries often takes several months, meaning the midfielder is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming campaign before gradually working his way back to full fitness.