Manchester United are in line to receive approximately £5.78 million in compensation from FIFA should Manuel Ugarte be ruled out for 12 months through injury, sources have confirmed.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan international, who joined the Red Devils from Paris Saint-Germain in a £42.1 million deal last summer, earns precisely £120,000 per week at Old Trafford – a figure that places him at the maximum threshold for FIFA’s Club Protection Programme.
Under the programme’s regulations, clubs are entitled to receive the daily salary of injured players once they have been unavailable for 28 consecutive days. The scheme covers a maximum period of 365 days, with payouts capped at a weekly rate of £120,000 – a ceiling that Ugarte’s wages match exactly.
Should Ugarte face a full year on the sidelines, United would be eligible to claim the maximum compensation available, calculated at £120,000 per week over the remaining 48 weeks of the coverage period (after the initial 28-day waiting period), totalling approximately £5.78 million.
FIFA’s Club Protection Programme was established to protect clubs financially when their players suffer injuries while representing their national teams. The scheme compensates clubs for wage costs incurred during extended injury layoffs, providing crucial financial relief in an era of spiralling player salaries.
A Manchester United source said: “The programme exists to mitigate the financial impact of serious injuries, particularly those sustained on international duty. Should the worst-case scenario materialise, the compensation would provide some financial respite.”
The potential payout would represent a significant boost to United’s financial planning, particularly given the club’s ongoing efforts to comply with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations.
Ugarte has made 26 appearances across all competitions this season since his summer arrival from PSG, establishing himself as a key figure in Erik ten Hag’s midfield. Any long-term absence would represent a significant blow to the manager’s plans for the remainder of the campaign.
FIFA’s compensation process requires clubs to submit medical evidence and documentation before claims are processed, with payments typically made in instalments throughout the period of incapacity.
For now, United supporters will hope the worst-case scenario does not materialise, with the club yet to confirm the full extent of Ugarte’s injury – if indeed he has sustained one. However, the financial safety net provided by FIFA’s programme offers some reassurance should the midfielder face a prolonged spell on the treatment table.
