Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Raphael Varane could return from an ankle injury in time for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the showpiece event courtesy of a penalty-shootout victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, with the two sides unable to be separated in 120 minutes of football.
Man United will now bid to complete a domestic double for the 2022-23 campaign when they take on Pep Guardiola's side in a Manchester derby on June 3.
Ten Hag was asked about Varane's potential availability for the contest, with the Frenchman currently on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Man United's head coach said that he was hopeful of having the central defender available against Man City, who are chasing a treble this season.
© Reuters
"I think so. Yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return," Ten Hag told talkSPORT.
The former France international picked up an injury in the first half of Man United's Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla on April 13, since missing matches against Nottingham Forest, Sevilla and Brighton.
A recent report claimed that the Red Devils were fearful that Varane could miss the rest of the season, as he has aggravated an ankle issue which has caused him issues over the last month.
The 29-year-old is likely to be absent for the remainder of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, which will see Man United face Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Brighton, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham.
However, the availability of the central defender for the clash against Man City would be a huge boost, as the team are already without Lisandro Martinez for the rest of the campaign due to a featured metatarsal.
© Reuters
Varane has been a vital player for Man United during the 2022-23 season, featuring on 30 occasions in all competitions, including 21 outings in the Premier League.
The defender emerged as a doubt for the 2022 World Cup when he picked up a leg injury against Chelsea in the league last October, but he ultimately returned for the competition.
The absences of Varane and Martinez will see Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof take on important roles for the remainder of the season, although the club captain was suspended against Brighton, which saw Luke Shaw play alongside Lindelof in the middle.
Ten Hag now has a big decision to make for Thursday's Premier League clash with Tottenham, with Shaw potentially retaining his spot as a centre-back, which would see Diogo Dalot continue at left-back or Tyrell Malacia being brought in to play in that area of the field.
Matt Law
