Man Utd could be eligible for compensation from FIFA after what happened to Manuel Ugarte in Uruguay game

Manchester United could be eligible to claim millions in compensation if Manuel Ugarte is ruled out for an extended period.

The 25-year-old midfielder was stretchered off during Friday evening's World Cup clash between Uruguay and Spain after twisting his knee in an accidental collision with teammate Mathias Olivera.

Ugarte, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, appeared to get his studs stuck in the Guadalajara Stadium turf before Olivera fell onto his outstretched leg.

United are waiting to discover the extent of the injury.

Should the midfielder be ruled out for the long term, United are expected to be eligible to claim compensation from FIFA through their Club Protection Programme (CPP).

The CPP scheme gives clubs security when their players are called up for international duty. If a player is injured while playing for their country and cannot return to club football, they provide financial backup.

Since 2012, the CPP has covered the salary of players injured on international duty, although there are some conditions.

The player must be out of action for a period of at least 28 consecutive days and the injury must have been sustained during a so-called "accident".

In addition, the scheme pays the salary of an injured player up to the maximum amount of £6.6 million until they are declared fit to return for their club side. Ugarte is said to earn £150,000 per week at United, according to Capology.

Ugarte was stretchered off against Spain. Image credit: Getty

Newcastle are said to have benefited from the CPP after Yoane Wissa suffered a serious knee ligament injury while on international duty with DR Congo in September last year.

Club officials applied for his reported £140,000 per-week wages to be covered through the programme, according to a report from the Daily Mail. In total, Wissa was out of action for more than three months.

Manuel Ugarte was expected to leave Manchester United this summer

Ugarte has barely featured since Michael Carrick took interim charge in January, starting just once in the Premier League, and that game was a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds, the only time United have lost under Carrick at Old Trafford.

Earlier this month, AC Milan were offered the chance to sign Ugarte, according to journalist Nicolò Schira.

Of course, new Milan head coach Ruben Amorim worked with Ugarte at Sporting CP and Manchester United.

Turkish side Galatasaray have also been strongly linked with a move for the player, although this latest setback could end his chances of a summer switch.