Manchester United have received positive news on the injury front as defenders Raphaël Varane and Jonny Evans are set to return to training ahead of their upcoming match against Chelsea on Thursday. This development comes as a relief for manager Erik ten Hag, who is facing absences of Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelöf for over a month, along with Luke Shaw sidelined until May.
Varane, who was substituted at half-time in the previous game against Brentford, and Evans, who has missed the last two matches, are both expected to be available for the crucial fixture at Stamford Bridge.
Ten Hag expressed his satisfaction with the returning players, stating, 'On the frontline and midfield, we are OK and have options, but in the backline, we have a lack of options. The good thing is that Raphaël Varane and Jonny Evans will be back in training this afternoon.'
Manchester United have faced a challenging season with over 50 separate injury setbacks, including Martinez's recent setback in training after just returning from a two-month absence due to a knee injury. Additionally, Tyrell Malacia is set to miss the remainder of the campaign.
Ten Hag acknowledged that injury woes are not unique to United, attributing them to the high intensity and demanding schedule of the Premier League, coupled with international commitments. He pointed out that other top teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle are also grappling with similar issues.
As United prepare to visit Stamford Bridge, they aim to extend their unbeaten streak at the venue, which dates back to November 2017. Chelsea, on the other hand, have struggled against United in recent league encounters, failing to secure a win in their last 12 meetings and currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table with only 10 games remaining in the season.
Ten Hag emphasized the competitiveness of the league, stating, 'It's a tough competition, very tight, and heavily influenced by player availability. Success in the season hinges on having key players fit and ready. Chelsea possess a strong team with quality players and a style of play that can challenge any opponent in the league.'
