Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already dropped a major hint that £80million captain Harry Maguire could stand in for Raphael Varane while he recovers from his latest injury concern. Varane, 29, is set for more time on the treatment table after limping off against Chelsea.
With the World Cup finals in Qatar drawing ever closer, Varane appeared to be in tears as he made way back into the tunnel at Stamford Bridge although reports suggest the problem is not as bad as first feared with three weeks mooted as a possible timeframe. United have two realistic options in his absence.
Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez have struck up an impressive partnership this season and they have established themselves as first-choice pairing at centre-back. It now leaves Maguire and Victor Lindelof competing to replace the France international.
