How much of Manuel Ugarte’s Man United salary FIFA will cover | OneFootball

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Manuel Ugarte was expected to leave Manchester United this summer.

Unfortunately, two years into his United career, the midfielder has not been able to establish himself at the club.

He was brought in as Casemiro‘s heir, yet frustratingly, United have still found themselves pursuing a successor for the Brazilian veteran despite his arrival.

If everything had gone to plan, Ugarte should have been sold this summer. The plan was for the Uruguayan to follow Casemiro through the exit door.

Manuel Ugarte injury blow

Instead, things changed when the United number 25 suffered a severe cruciate knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat to Spain at the World Cup.

Ugarte is now set to be sidelined long-term. Plans to sell him have therefore had to be shelved, and the 20-time English champions must instead focus on helping him through his rehabilitation.

Fortunately, as they do that, they are receiving compensation.

FIFA compensation

As per the Telegraph, “Ugarte was injured on World Cup duty, Fifa will be covering the equivalent of about 80 per cent of his £150,000-a-week salary while he remains sidelined under the world governing body’s club protection programme.”

It is certainly reassuring that FIFA’s club protection programme covers the wages of players injured on international duty.

At least it gives United some breathing room as far as their wage bill is concerned.

That said, with part of Ugarte’s wages covered, United surely have the leverage to sign his replacement while still comfortably accommodating the new wages.

Pursuit of a defensive midfielder

Meanwhile, Ineos are currently looking into defensive midfield options, weighing up who to sign to effectively replace Ugarte and Casemiro, and inject some defensive solidity at the centre of the park.