Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought us up to speed with the injury situation regarding Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane.
The Reds boss admits the pair face a spell on the sidelines, with Pogba being hurt in training with France, while away for the recent World Cup qualifiers.
Varane was also initially injured during a stint with Les Bleus but briefly returned to the fold, only to suffer a separate issue, a hamstring strain, during the Champions League tie at Atalanta.
In an exclusive interview with club media's Stewart Gardner at Carrington, the manager was able to provide more detail on the two World Cup winners, who will be absent when United travel to Vicarage Road for Saturday's 15:00 GMT kick-off against Watford.
“Paul’s injury is one of those injuries that can take... well, how long is a piece of rope?”
Ole admitted.
“I know Paul is working really hard and he’s determined to come back. He’s already started on his rehab and wants to come back fresh and ready. If it’s two months or six weeks or 12 weeks, I’ve got to tell you in a few weeks how he’s healing.”
The manager admitted his frustration at the timing of the injury for Varane, who had performed well at Tottenham before being forced off in the Atalanta game. The classy centre-back is still adapting to life in the Premier League, following his summer switch from Real Madrid, and is not yet close to a return to action.
It means he will also miss next week's crucial game at Villarreal in the Champions League, a competition he won four times during his time in Spain.
“He’s improving but Raphael is still a few weeks away,”
said the boss. “He’s working hard on his fitness. Unfortunately, he’s got this injury now and there’s never a good time to get one but, after just coming back into the team, he was hoping to stay there. He’ll work diligently, he does work diligently, and he’ll be back soon.”
Pogba and Varane have already posted positive messages on social media as they endeavour to come back, with so many games on the horizon.
Paul has been benefiting from some warm weather in Dubai as he works on his rehabilitation and the midfielder thanked everybody for their support.
Raphael suggested he is busy in the gym as the defender strives to get into a position where he can resume training at Carrington.
We wish them both a speedy recovery.