A Manchester United midfielder has picked up a serious injury, potentially disrupting their transfer plans as the Red Devils battle Tottenham Hotspur for Mateus Fernandes.While Tottenham have held positive talks with West Ham over a deal for Fernandes, the Lilywhites face intense competition from one of their Premier League rivals.Man United continue to work on beating Spurs to the 21-year-old, who could be the subject of a bidding war between the two clubs.Several sources have indicated that Fernandes will end up at the club which offers a better financial package to West Ham, but Spurs’ hopes may have been boosted by recent developments.Photo by Luis Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesManuel Ugarte’s injury could boost Tottenham’s hopes of landing Mateus FernandesIt has now been confirmed that Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury in Uruguay’s loss to Spain at the World Cup.The midfielder now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, which puts into serious doubt the possibility of a move away from Old Trafford this summer.The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell has now taken to social media to reveal that Ugarte’s injury will affect United’s pursuit of Fernandes, as the Red Devils were hoping to fund the move partly by selling the former PSG man.Reacting to Ugarte’s injury, Whitwell wrote on X: “This will have an impact on United’s transfer plans. Ugarte had been a player in line for sale to raise funds.”This will have an impact on United’s transfer plans. Ugarte had been a player in line for sale to raise funds ⬇️ #MUFC https://t.co/x48GNYSj0t— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) June 28, 2026Man United continuing Fernandes talks despite Ugarte’s injuryHowever, The Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler has contradicted Whitwell’s claim regarding the impact of Ugarte’s injury on United’s move for the West Ham man.Wheeler explained that Michael Carrick’s men are indeed listening to offers for the Uruguayan, who they signed for £50.5m two years ago, and that the injury could lower their transfer budget.However, he adds that it is unlikely to impact the club’s ability to pay the asking price for Fernandes, who is valued at around £80m-£85m by the Hammers.The journalist adds that both Spurs and United are locked in negotiations with West Ham for the 21-year-old, with the player’s personal terms not thought to be a problem for the Old Trafford hierarchy.READ MORE: Tottenham plan audacious double raid of Man City and Liverpool that could cost £95mThe post Major injury development could boost Tottenham’s £85m Mateus Fernandes pursuit appeared first on Spurs Web.