Raphael Varane’s hopes of going to the World Cup have been boosted, with reports the France defender will be available for selection next month.
The Manchester United star cut a disconsolate figure after he left the game vs Chelsea with an injury. Varane went down in the second half at Stamford Bridge, instantly leaving the pitch and hobbling down the tunnel.
While the prognosis was unknown at that point, the Frenchman didn’t give too many signs of optimism and was visibly emotional as he received treatment. That instantly led to fears he could miss out on the chance to go to Qatar where Les Bleus will hope to retain their crown.
However, a report from ESPN claims the 29-year-old could be back in ‘three to four weeks’ after suffering a suspected lesion on his femoral biceps in the thigh muscle. The results of the MRI scan are significantly more positive than initially expected with a return date leaving him in line for France’s group stage campaign which gets underway on November 22.
The injury will mean that Varane is unavailable for his club side until games resume at the end of the year, having built a formidable partnership with summer signing Lisandro Martinez. Having struggled for fitness in his first season at Old Trafford, the former Real Madrid centre-back has appeared in all-but one Premier League match so far this season.
That run will now come to an end with United boss Erik ten hag already dealing with an injury to club captain Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof came off the bench for Varane and now looks primed for a run in the side, with Maguire out of favour regardless of his fitness status.
Ten Hag was cautious to offer a timescale in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: "It is difficult to say how it is now because it is so soon after the game. We have to wait 24 hours and then we will know what it is."
He added: “I can understand, we can all probably understand he would be emotional [if he is out of the World Cup], but I think he also has to wait. You don’t know [how bad it is]. Of course he is experienced, but [the] medical [staff] have to do their job, have to make the assessment and set the right diagnosis, and then from there on can come to a conclusion.”
Ten Hag was speaking after Varane’s former Madrid team-mate Casemiro scored his first goal for the Red Devils to earn them a valuable point against Chelsea. United had looked comfortable against Graham Potter’s side but fell behind late on when Scott McTominay pulled Armando Broja down in the box.
Jorginho stepped up to open the scoring from the penalty spot, but Casemiro scored an injury-time equaliser to extend their unbeaten record to five games in all competitions. Ten Hag’s troops still have six fixtures to negotiate before the mid-season break in just three weeks’ time.
