Man Utd handed Varane injury boost

Manchester United have been handed a positive piece of news concerning the fitness of Raphael Varane after an injury scare with France during the World Cup final.

What’s the talk?

Concerns would have been rife among the ranks at Old Trafford as the 29-year-old limped off the pitch in the closing stages of the final in Qatar, just days before the resumption of Premier League football comes in thick and fast.

However, Manchester Evening News have since reported that the centre-back was merely fatigued and should be in contention to return to action with the Red Devils when he arrives back at Carrington.

Having just concluded their respective World Cup campaigns on Sunday, both Varane and Argentine world champion Lisandro Martinez will miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Burnley and will likely be sidelined for the return to Premier League action next week when Erik ten Hag’s side take on Nottingham Forest, but should be available thereafter.

Ten Hag will be thrilled

Varane has only made 11 appearances for United since the start of the current campaign, missing eight matches due to ankle and leg injuries.

Nonetheless, his exploits in Qatar have reaffirmed his status as one of Europe’s elite centre-backs, with the illustrious defender narrowly missing out on his second World Cup title. 

As per Sofascore, the 93-cap international completed 90% of his passes at the World Cup, making one interception and 2.5 clearances per game, while his assured presence at the back is highlighted by him losing possession just five times per match. 

In the 2022/23 Premier League, the “titan” – as dubbed by Squaka – has four clean sheets from the eight matches that he has started, playing a busy role in averaging 1.2 tackles and 3.8 clearances per match. 

His experience and pedigree should indeed reap dividends for United in the forthcoming period of the season as the Red Devils chase their first piece of silverware since 2017, when AFC Ajax were defeated 2-0 in the Europa League final. 

Signed for £41m from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 , Varane can continue to combine with former Los Blancos team-mate Casemiro and build upon his centre-back partnership with Martinez, playing a definitive role in the club’s ascent back towards prominence in England and possibly Europe. 

Ten Hag will surely be buzzing to discover that the Frenchman’s exit from the World Cup final is not something which should preclude him from action for United for any great length of time.