Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United during the Manchester City vs Manchester United Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 14 September, 2025
Manuel Ugarte is expected to leave Manchester United this summer.Imago

Man United fans all say the same after Manuel Ugarte's display in Uruguay vs Cape Verde: 'Pure madness'

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Manchester United fans were watching in unison as Manuel Ugarte lined up for Uruguay against Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup.

With Marcelo Bielsa's side desperate for all three points, Man United's No.25 had a chance to show those supporters exactly why he's trusted on the international stage.

For Uruguay, alongside Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur, the midfielder is first choice, but at Old Trafford, he really struggles for regular minutes.

That is unlikely to change, and the most likely outcome ahead of the 2026-27 campaign is that Ugarte finds a new club, if the Red Devils can find a potential suitor, that is.

His price tag is not going to skyrocket following his latest World Cup performance, especially after Uruguay were held to a 2-2 draw by the team ranked 67th in the world.

It is safe to say that the majority of those back at Old Trafford were hardly surprised to see him flop, and they let him know about it when flooding onto social media.

Manuel Ugarte flops in Uruguay vs Cape Verde

Ugarte lasted just 70 minutes before being replaced, and the only surprising thing is that the midfielder wasn't hooked before that point.

With the player expected to leave United this summer, many are questioning how he managed to stay at the Premier League giants for so many years.

One supporter described his CV as "pure madness" after spells at Sporting CP, PSG and United, as another labelled his performance as "truly awful".

Now, with a final group stage game against Spain remaining, Uruguay and Ugarte face a very real prospect of being eliminated from the World Cup before the knockout rounds.

Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United during the Manchester City vs Manchester United Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 14 September, 2025
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Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United during the Manchester City vs Manchester United Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 14 September, 2025
Manuel Ugarte exit looks inevitable as Man United hold 'advanced talks' with midfielder

Man United midfielder's stats do all the talking

It seems only a matter of time before Ugarte is heading back to Manchester this summer, but supporters will be hoping that isn't for long.

The 25-year-old created one chance, fired one shot off target, completed zero tackles, was dribbled past three times, lost 100 per cent of his ground duels, and committed a foul [FotMob].

Against one of the lowest ranked teams in the competition, these stats should be seen as unforgivable, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him dropped against Spain.

Man United fans have been calling for his sale since last summer, and they may finally get their wish ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

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