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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United get Raphael Varane boost

Raphael Varane has returned for training at Manchester United after testing positive for Covid-19.

Varane missed the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday after contracting Covid but is in contention to start against Tottenham on Saturday. Luke Shaw also contracted Covid but was not seen arriving for training on Wednesday morning.

United have suffered their worst defeats this season without Varane, who was absent for the 4-2 defeat at Leicester, the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, 4-1 humbling at Watford and both of the derby defeats. United have not lost with Varane and Harry Maguire on the pitch.

READ MORE: Sky pundits missed the point on Ronaldo

Varane, 28, was sidelined for a combined nine weeks earlier in the season due to groin and hamstring injuries. The France international joined United for £43million from Real Madrid in August but a historic injury issue that was flagged by the United medical staff delayed the announcement until the day of their season-opener against Leeds United.

Centre-backs Maguire and Victor Lindelof were heavily criticised after the trouncing by City and United interim manager Ralf Rangnick must decide whether to drop one of the pair for the visit of Spurs, who would go above United with victory at Old Trafford.

The probable return of Varane could result in another squad omission for Eric Bailly, who has been relegated to fifth-choice centre-back following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bailly signed a new United contract last year but has only played seven times for United this season and is open to leaving permanently in the summer.

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