Manchester United's French defender Raphael Varane (R) and Manchester United's Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez (L) warm up prior to the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in south London on January 18, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of Raphael Varane.
It was confirmed on Friday that Lisandro Martinez would be sidelined for the remainder of the season after fracturing a fifth metatarsal in his foot – an announcement which was the last thing any fan needed to hear with the season-defining fixtures on the horizon.
The Argentinian has undoubtedly been one of the club’s most pivotal players this season. However, things could’ve been significantly worse, if it was an Achilles injury, Martinez would’ve likely missed the majority of next season. As it stands now, he should return in time for the 2023/2024 campaign.
The report from The Athletic also stated that Varane is expected to miss the coming weeks through injury and that there are concerns at United that he may also be ruled out until the summer. The club hope this isn’t the case and are keen to see a quick recovery.
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Ten Hag’s options at CB
Erik ten Hag now has decisions to make regarding his centre-backs. Varane and Martinez have been his preferred pairing throughout the season, but now he will turn back to Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer special.
One option he may sway towards is playing Luke Shaw at left centre-back. The manager has gone down that route numerous times in Varane or Martinez’s absence and Shaw has performed faultlessly there.
He could have to next week, for example, when the Red Devils take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-final. With Maguire suspended and Varane a doubt, he’s left with Shaw and Lindelof as the only plausible options to partner with one another.
