Raphael Varane back training on grass, says Carrick

Berne, Switzerland, 14th September 2021. Raphael Varane of Manchester United, ManU during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League match at Stadion Wankdorf, Berne. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK SPI-1173-0155

Raphael Varane has been ruled out of Thursday night’s clash against Arsenal as the Frenchman continues to recover from injury.

Caretaker manager Michael Carrick did not give much away with his pre-match injury update, although he will have Harry Maguire available at centre-back with the skipper returning from suspension after his red card versus Watford.

There were no updates provided on either Luke Shaw or Edinson Cavani, who were both missing from the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, which could mean another start for Alex Telles at left-back.

The absence of Varane is a blow for the side as we haven’t defended well enough all season. It was his job to come in and add greater security for David de Gea, so United fans will be hoping he can stay fit throughout 2022 at least.

Carrick said the defender’s rehabilitation is going really well but didn’t give a precise date for a return.

“Yeah, Rapha’s rehab is going really well,” Carrick told reporters at his press conference, as quoted by the Metro. “He’s out on the grass but it won’t be any time this week, by any stretch, it’ll be a little bit further than that, if not even longer.

“He’s on course [though], which is good.”

United cannot afford to rush Varane back as he’s already missed a chunk of the season due to knocks and injuries. Another setback is the last thing the new interim manager needs.

It will be one of Ralf Rangnick’s biggest tasks to sort United’s defence over the next six months.

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