Manuel Ugarte plays through illness ahead of Manchester United debut

1 week ago 2

Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte, left, chases Venezuela's Telasco Segovia during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Monumental de Maturin Stadium in Maturin, Venezuela

Manuel Ugarte played through illness with Uruguay ahead of his potential debut for Manchester United this weekend.

The 23-year-old played a full 90 minutes as Uruguay drew 0-0 with Venezuela in their latest World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening.

But Ugarte was a late doubt for the match after suffering from a fever in the 24 hours leading up to the game.

‘Now I feel a bit down but I felt fine during the match despite the heat,’ Ugarte told AUF TV after Uruguay’s stalemate.

‘Yesterday I had a bit of a fever but we drew and got a point.’

Uruguay's midfielder Manuel Ugarte (L) shoots next to Venezuela's forward Salomon Rondon during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Venezuela and Uruguay at the Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela

The result has left Uruguay third in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table after they were overtaken by Colombia, who beat Argentina with a 2-1 win on Tuesday.

‘We always want to play to win and we are capable of playing to win,’ Ugarte said.

‘It was an ugly match, I think we did not play very well. Venezuela are strong in this stadium and we got a point. Knowing how the qualifiers are, which are very complicated, it is important.’

Ugarte is now travelling back to Manchester and will be assessed ahead of United’s Premier League clash against Southampton, which kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday.

The midfielder, who was signed from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £50.7 million, was presented to supporters at Old Trafford before United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on September 1.

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