Manchester United has received a huge blow as Raphael Varane has been ruled out for injury ahead of a crucial fixture. United has had a mixed start to the 2023-24 season, having lost one of its three matches in the league so far. Moreover, there was also controversy regarding Mason Greenwood’s future at the club. However, with crucial fixtures coming up, Manchester United has lost one of its best defenders.
Owing to his vast experience at Real Madrid, Varane has been coach Erik ten Hag’s first choice center back alongside Lisandro Martinez. However, the French defender suffered an injury during Manchester United‘s recent league clash against Nottingham Forest.
🚨🤕 NEW: Raphaël Varane will miss the game against Arsenal this weekend due to suffering an injury against Nottingham Forest. #MUFC [@TikiTakaConnor]
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) August 29, 2023
Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit against Forest, United’s joy was cut short due to Varane’s injury. After the match, Erik ten Hag provided an update about his defender. Ten Hag said, “He (Varane) had complaints. So we didn’t want to risk him. So we don’t take the risk, but what the complaint is and if it is really bad, we don’t know. We have to wait.”
🚨| Raphaël Varane could potentially be out for up to SIX weeks due to suffering an injury against Nottingham Forest. 🤕
Harry Maguire’s future could remain at Old Trafford due to the situation. 🔐
[via @SkyKaveh]. pic.twitter.com/6j9MthkzPI
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 29, 2023
According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, the 2018 World Cup winner will miss Manchester United’s crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal on September 3. Solhekol stated that Varane could be out for as many as six weeks. This means that the manager will have to make do with what is available to him and given the thick list of fixtures, this will be a problem that will need meticulous handling.
In the absence of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire gets a lifeline at Manchester United
While Raphael Varane’s injury comes as bad news to Manchester United, it has given a lifeline to Harry Maguire. Maguire has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for quite some time now. The England international hasn’t been a regular starter since Erik ten Hag’s arrival. Moreover, Harry Maguire was also recently stripped of the captaincy of Manchester United, with Bruno Fernades now assuming the role.
There were rumors of West Ham being interested in the former Manchester United captain. The Hammers had also reportedly offered $37.8 million for Maguire. However, the negotiations didn’t materialize due to Maguire’s huge salary. Although with Varane out injured, Manchester United might not want to let Harry Maguire leave the club.
Harry Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester City for around $101 million in 2019. The 30-year-old star remains the most expensive defender in soccer history. However, despite becoming the club captain in 2020, Maguire has been frequently criticized for his performances on the pitch. Although Maguire now seems to have extended his stay at the club, he has yet to feature for United in the Premier League this season.