Erik ten Hag has revealed Raphael Varane is set return for Manchester United before the end of the season.
Varane has been out since April 13, after suffering an injury during United's 2-2 Europa League against Sevilla at Old Trafford. It was feared Varane could miss the rest of the season, along with central defensive partner Lisandro Martinez, but he could be back for Wolves a week on Saturday.
Scott McTominay is still some way from a first-team return, but Ten Hag raised the prospect of Varane returning for the league run-in – and the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
“Raphael is closer than Scott in this moment, but still for the coming two games they are not available,” said Ten Hag, whose side go to Brighton on Thursday.
The Seagulls beat 2-1 in the opening game of the season at Old Trafford back in August, but United got their own back with an FA Cup semi-final shoot-out win last month.
Ten Hag admitted Brighton will be wanting to avenge that defeat and urged his players – who have won just one away game from 10 against the top 12 – to be up for the fight.
“It's a normal reaction,” said Ten Hag. “I think everyone involved in top sport, if you get beaten, you want to have revenge and that is normal.
"They have a huge motivation to beat us, but we have to match that and do more, show more hunger than them, to win this game - willingness is the word for tomorrow.
“We want to win every game, we want to win every competition. We want to be in the Champions League, that is the competition we are now fighting for and that is the only thing in this moment to focus on. The FA Cup final is after the season.
“I never want to talk during the season of pride or satisfaction. You know my statement - satisfaction leads to laziness.
“We have six games to go and every game we want to win, therefore you need full focus, full energy, full preparation and tomorrow is definitely going to be a fight.
“We have to be ready for that fight and the points available. I don't think about away or home, we have to win every game, so we have to win tomorrow as well.”
