Erik ten Hag explains Varane absence
Erik ten Hag has explained why Raphael Varane was missing from the matchday squad for Manchester United's Emirates FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham.
The Frenchman was an unused substitute on Thursday night during the 1-0 victory over Real Betis in Seville, but he was not named among the starting XI or as one of the nine substitutes on Sunday.
That was due to injury, according to the boss, although it is expected that Varane will return after the international break.
Our no.19 recently announced his retirement from the Les Bleus set-up, meaning he would not have been involved in their Euro 2024 qualifiers anyway.
Erik explains his selection
Erik ten Hag discusses the return of McTominay and Sabitzer, and the absence of Varane...
“He’s injured,” said the manager, when asked about Rapha by MUTV’s Stewart Gardner.
“It’s difficult to say but I think it’s something small. I think he’ll recover and be back after the international break.”
Harry Maguire partnered Lisandro Martinez at the heart of United's defence instead.
“Rapha Varane is, together with Licha, a very good partnership, but we have good [players] behind as well, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof,” Ten Hag told ITV. “I think we have a good squad there.”
UNITED'S LINE-UP
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire (c), Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Substitutes: Butland, Lindelof, Malacia, Dalot, Fred, Antony, Mainoo, Pellistri, Elanga.