Uruguay Overview

Manuel Ugarte has endured a nightmare spell at Manchester United, with form and fitness proving difficult to come by, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL that his fellow Uruguayan may yet earn redemption and a second chance at Old Trafford. The South American midfielder is currently working his way back from surgery after suffering knee ligament damage at the 2026 World Cup.

The prolific No.9 is considered to be something of a dying breed in modern football, with creative playmakers now all the rage. There was a time though, not all that long ago, when fearsome strikers ruled the world. Luis Suarez formed part of that pack, but where does he rank in a generation that included Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema? Fellow Uruguayan Gus Poyet has attempted to answer that question for GOAL.

Darwin Nunez is now 27 years of age and should be at the peak of his powers. The ex-Liverpool forward decided against returning to European football, and potentially the Premier League, during the last transfer window and remains in Saudi Arabia. Gus Poyet has explained to GOAL why his fellow Uruguayan took that stance, with a “crazy” contract being factored into the equation.

Argentina have been forced to scrap their scheduled November tour of Asia, prompting the national federation to arrange alternative home fixtures to close out the calendar year. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is now targeting domestic tests against Uruguay and Costa Rica as he continues reshaping his squad for the future.