London — French World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane’s chances of competing in this year’s championships diminished on Wednesday when Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag announced that he will not play before the 20th of November, when the tournament begins.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old former Real Madrid player left the field in tears after suffering a leg injury during United’s 1-1 tie with Chelsea.
“Varane is not in the squad,” Ten Hag announced during a press conference prior to United’s Europa League encounter against Sheriff Tiraspol.
“He will be sidelined during the World Cup. We must see how he matures and how his rehabilitation progresses.”
Varane, who has endured multiple long-term injury absences during his career, adds to Didier Deschamps’ problems as he prepares to name his squad for the November 9 finals in Qatar.
Due to a hamstring injury, N’Golo Kante, a defensive midfielder for Chelsea who was instrumental to France’s glory four years ago, will definitely miss the tournament.
Hugo Lloris’ backup goalkeeper at AC Milan, Mike Maignan, could be ruled out due to a calf injury. Hugo Lloris’ starting goalkeeper Paul Pogba is still recovering from knee surgery.
France’s first World Cup group match will be against Australia on November 22, followed by matches against Denmark and Tunisia four days later.
Ten Hag stated that Cristiano Ronaldo would be in the squad for Thursday’s match, which his team must win in order to have any chance of finishing first in the group.
This would allow them to avoid a Champions League third-place team in the play-off round in February.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United’s first-team training on Tuesday for the first time since his reluctance to come in as a substitute against Tottenham last week.
The Portuguese was left out of Manchester United’s squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, and on Friday he trained individually with fitness trainers.
“It is not complicated (the Ronaldo situation). We disclosed every detail and addressed every query. He missed one game and is now back in the lineup “explained Ten Hag.
“We have a crucial game tomorrow, and our goal is to win the group.”
London — French World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane’s chances of competing in this year’s championships diminished on Wednesday when Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag announced that he will not play before the 20th of November, when the tournament begins.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old former Real Madrid player left the field in tears after suffering a leg injury during United’s 1-1 tie with Chelsea.
“Varane is not in the squad,” Ten Hag announced during a press conference prior to United’s Europa League encounter against Sheriff Tiraspol.
“He will be sidelined during the World Cup. We must see how he matures and how his rehabilitation progresses.”
Varane, who has endured multiple long-term injury absences during his career, adds to Didier Deschamps’ problems as he prepares to name his squad for the November 9 finals in Qatar.
Due to a hamstring injury, N’Golo Kante, a defensive midfielder for Chelsea who was instrumental to France’s glory four years ago, will definitely miss the tournament.
Hugo Lloris’ backup goalkeeper at AC Milan, Mike Maignan, could be ruled out due to a calf injury. Hugo Lloris’ starting goalkeeper Paul Pogba is still recovering from knee surgery.
France’s first World Cup group match will be against Australia on November 22, followed by matches against Denmark and Tunisia four days later.
Ten Hag stated that Cristiano Ronaldo would be in the squad for Thursday’s match, which his team must win in order to have any chance of finishing first in the group.
This would allow them to avoid a Champions League third-place team in the play-off round in February.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United’s first-team training on Tuesday for the first time since his reluctance to come in as a substitute against Tottenham last week.
The Portuguese was left out of Manchester United’s squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, and on Friday he trained individually with fitness trainers.
“It is not complicated (the Ronaldo situation). We disclosed every detail and addressed every query. He missed one game and is now back in the lineup “explained Ten Hag.
“We have a crucial game tomorrow, and our goal is to win the group.”