Manchester United dealt fresh injury blow amid Tottenham and Aston Villa Champions League battle
Manchester United's quest to finish in the top four has been dealt another blow with Raphael Varane ruled out for the next few weeks due to a muscle injury.
A disappointing second season for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag has been punctuated by a variety of fitness issues, with the backline hit particularly hard. United have been without an out-and-out left-back for much of the season due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, while their problems at centre-back are now stacking up.
Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are currently out, with Varane and Jonny Evans absent from the squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool after injuries sustained at Chelsea last Thursday. The pair will be absent again at Bournemouth on Saturday, with Varane unlikely to return until next month.
United said in a statement: “Raphael Varane will be out for the next few weeks with a muscle injury sustained during our game against Chelsea last week. The French World Cup winner is aiming to be back in action before the end of the season in May.
“Fellow centre-back Jonny Evans will also miss Saturday’s game against Bournemouth with a shorter-term muscle issue.” Varane, 30, has made 30 appearances for United this season and is out of contract this summer.
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Evans, who made a surprise return to the club last year, has appeared 29 times and the 36 year old's deal also expires at the end of the season. Harry Maguire and young talent Willy Kambwala are expected to form the centre-back duo once again against Bournemouth.
United are heading into the weekend in
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