BREAKING: FIFA will have to compensate Manchester United for a superstar

Manuel Ugarte sustained a severe injury representing Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup, which puts Manchester United at risk of a significant loss, but they may still be eligible for a considerable payout from FIFA.

Manchester United is anxiously awaiting the results of Manuel Ugarte's injury assessment after the Uruguayan midfielder was stretchered off the pitch during a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final group stage match of Group H at the 2026 World Cup. If Ugarte faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the "Red Devils" will not only suffer a tactical blow but could also receive millions of pounds in compensation from FIFA.

The incident occurred near the end of the first half when Ugarte and Mathias Olivera both challenged Pedri. In an unfortunate collision with his own teammate, the 2001-born midfielder's leg got caught in the turf, putting immense strain on his knee. He lay on the pitch in pain, crying as medical staff carried him off on a stretcher.

Notably, immediately after that moment, Spain did not kick the ball out of play but instead continued their attack and scored the only goal of the match through Alex Baena. This defeat left Uruguay with just two points from three matches, officially eliminating them in the group stage, while Cape Verde advanced alongside Spain .

While awaiting the full extent of Ugarte's injury, Manchester United also has reason to be concerned. The 25-year-old midfielder was considered one of the players likely to leave Old Trafford in the summer transfer window to help the club balance the budget and rebuild their midfield. A serious injury could disrupt all transfer plans.

However, if Ugarte is sidelined for an extended period, the Old Trafford club could receive financial support from FIFA through the Club Protection Programme (CPP).

Under FIFA regulations, the CPP compensates clubs when a player gets injured while on international duty and is forced to miss at least 28 consecutive days of play.

The support covers the player's salary during the treatment period, with a maximum payout of around £6.6 million per case.

According to data from Capology, Ugarte currently earns around £150,000 per week at Manchester United. If his recovery spans several months, the amount paid by FIFA could reach millions of pounds, easing the club's financial burden.

In the past, many clubs have benefited from this programme. Newcastle once filed a claim for compensation when Yoane Wissa suffered a knee ligament injury while playing for the Democratic Republic of Congo and missed over three months of action.

For now, the most important thing for Manchester United is to wait for Ugarte's medical test results. If the knee injury is as severe as initially feared, the "Red Devils" will not only lose a midfield option but will also have to adjust their transfer plans for summer 2026, despite the potential compensation from FIFA.