FIFA to pay United £6.5m as Ugarte ACL injury ends World Cup and blocks summer sale

Manchester United stand to receive up to £6.5 million in compensation from FIFA after Manuel Ugarte tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Uruguay’s final group-stage match against Spain in Guadalajara, ending his World Cup 2026 and almost certainly blocking a planned summer transfer exit.

Ugarte was stretchered off in tears just before half-time as Uruguay lost 1-0 to Spain and were eliminated from the tournament. Initial medical assessments point to a severe ACL tear, with the midfielder expected to be sidelined for an estimated nine to twelve months.

The injury activates FIFA’s Club Protection Programme (CPP), a global insurance mechanism designed to shield clubs from the financial cost of paying players injured on international duty. The policy takes effect once a player has been sidelined for more than 28 consecutive days as a result of an international match injury, at which point FIFA assumes responsibility for covering the player’s basic club salary at a daily rate until they are medically cleared to return to full training.

Coverage is capped at approximately £6.5 million per player per injury, with a maximum weekly payout of £120,000. Because Ugarte’s weekly wage at Old Trafford sits at that £120,000 ceiling, FIFA will effectively absorb his entire basic salary for the duration of his recovery, meaning United should recoup the full £6.5 million if he misses the projected period.

The injury complicates United’s summer business under manager Michael Carrick, who was expected to sanction Ugarte’s sale as part of a broader squad overhaul. Brazilian midfielder Ederson has already been lined up to address the midfield gap left by Casemiro’s departure, having undergone a medical in early July, but Ugarte’s situation now removes a significant potential transfer fee from United’s summer calculations.

In a separate development, former United midfielder Juan Mata is set to take on an ownership role at Australian A-League club Melbourne Victory, where he currently plays. The club has confirmed that Mata — a World Cup winner with Spain — has agreed to become a shareholder, with a formal off-field position set to begin once his playing career concludes. “Australian football has a future I genuinely believe in,” Mata said in a statement released by the club.