Raphael Varane asked to play for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest nine days after the World Cup final.
Varane only reported for training on Monday and has had one session but offered to start amid a defensive injury crisis.
Harry Maguire missed the 2-0 League Cup win over Burnley through illness last week and Victor Lindelof, who started against the Clarets, has subsequently fallen ill and Lisandro Martinez is still unavailable.