Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has reportedly picked up a virus that is sweeping through the France squad, as he becomes a serious doubt to play in their World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, Varane and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate are the latest players to fall ill in the French camp, with a bug causing flu-like symptoms spreading through the squad. The news now means that Didier Deschamps is facing a crisis at centre-back, with Dayot Upamecano also missing France's 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco with illness.
Adrien Rabiot, was almost joined United in the summer, was another French player who missed out on the Morocco win due to the bug. It now means that five of the squad have been struck with the virus, as Kingsley Coman is also believed to have been placed in 'solitary confinement' to avoid any further players picking up the bug.
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Some visitors to Qatar have struggled with 'Middle East respiratory syndrome', which can cause a flu-like illness ranging in severity. United star Antony also complained of the same issue while teaming up with Brazil during their World Cup campaign.
Varane's absence would be a bitter blow for the 2018 champions, as the Les Bleus coach explained the measures that they are putting in place ahead of the final.
"In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time," Deschamps said.
"We've had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so it doesn't spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
"Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match [against England]. It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
"We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn't spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it. We separated him from others and Adrien as well."
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