There is no denying how devastating the loss of Raphael Varane will be for Manchester United in the coming weeks. United's dramatic draw with Chelsea at the weekend was a moment to savour, but one slightly tainted by the distressing scenes of the Frenchman's latest injury setback.
Varane was in tears as he walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, cursing not only his own bad luck with a fifth different injury since joining United last year, but also the real fear that this one would end his World Cup hopes.
The early reports suggest Varane will be sidelined for a few weeks. It's perhaps not as bad as first feared, but still represents a huge setback for a defender playing at the top of his game and who will need to be eased back into action rather than thrown in at the deep end.
