Manuel Ugarte is being blamed for an injury on Kai Havertz, which has prompted a major transfer in the Premier League.
One Manchester United player may have left his mark on Arsenal in the Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will spend a period on the sidelines with a knee injury, after missing training, Sky Sports reported.
Gunners fans on social media are pointing to a late tackle from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte as the reason for Havertz’s injury.
In the third minute of injury time, inside the Arsenal half, Ugarte and Havertz competed for a loose ball, that saw the Uruguayan take out his opponent in the process.
Havertz was left in a heap on the floor, and is now facing weeks, possibly months on the sidelines.
A video clip was posted by a well-followed Arsenal account on X, with the message: “The challenge from Manuel Ugarte which potentially led to Kai Havertz sustaining a knee injury.”
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Arsenal have moved to sign Eberechi Eze
Kai Havertz’s injury came at a good time for Arsenal, with the transfer window still open. They have acted promptly.
Arsenal have moved to hijack rivals Tottenham’s transfer for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.
BBC Sport report Arsenal are set to pay a total of £68 million to sign Eze, already reaching an ‘agreement in principle’.
Tottenham had lined up Eze as a replacement for James Maddison, who tore his ACL. Now they must look elsewhere.
And if it does turn out Manuel Ugarte’s challenge was the cause of Havertz’s injury, then the Manchester United midfielder’s stoppage time tackle was a game-changer for the Premier League, and possibly even the title race.
Manchester United and Arsenal players clash, with Kai Havertz being pushed to the floor
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Kai Havertz and Manuel Ugarte have history
It is worth noting that there is a little history between Manuel Ugarte and Kai Havertz, dating back to January 2025.
Havertz was accused of diving to win a penalty in the FA Cup clash, and players on both sides got physical.
The German forward put his hand to Manuel Ugarte’s throat, before being forcefully shoved to the ground by the Manchester United midfielder. Both players escaped serious punishment.
Was this on Ugarte’s mind as he went into the late challenge with Havertz at Old Trafford? Did he take a last chance in stoppage time to ‘leave a bit extra’ on his opponent?
It may just be an unfortunate coincidence that it was the same two players caught up in a clash again.
We will give him the benefit of the doubt. Arsenal fans may not. But they are probably too busy celebrating the exciting Eze signing.