LONDON — French World Cup-winning defender
Raphael Varane’s
hopes of playing in this year’s finals dimmed on Wednesday as Manchester United
manager Erik ten Hag said he will not play before the tournament gets underway
on November 20.
اضافة اعلان
The 29-year-old former Real Madrid star left the
pitch in tears with a leg injury during United’s 1–1 draw against Chelsea last
Saturday.
“Varane isn’t in the squad,” said Ten Hag at a press
conference on the eve of United’s Europa League match with Moldovan side
Sheriff Tiraspol.
“He will be out until the World Cup. We have to see
how he develops, how his rehab will develop.”
Varane, who has suffered several long-term injury
absences during his career, adds to France coach
Didier Deschamps’ headaches
ahead of his naming his squad for the finals in Qatar on November 9.
N’Golo Kante, Chelsea’s defensive midfielder who was
a key part of France’s success four years ago, will definitely miss the
tournament with a hamstring injury.
Paul Pogba is a doubt as he is still recovering from
knee surgery, and AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, the backup to first choice
Hugo Lloris, could be ruled out with a calf injury.
France’s first World Cup group game is against
Australia on November 22 before they face Denmark on November 26 and then
Tunisia four days later.
Ten Hag said that Cristiano Ronaldo would be in the
squad for Thursday’s match — a game his side need to win to stand any chance of
topping their group.
That would allow them to avoid a third-place side
from the Champions League in February’s play-off round.
Ronaldo returned
to first-team training with
Manchester United for the first time on Tuesday
since his refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last week.
The Portuguese was left out of United’s squad for
Saturday’s 1–1 draw at Chelsea and did individual training with fitness coaches
on Friday.
“It’s not difficult (Ronaldo situation). We said
everything, answered all the questions. He was out for one game and now back
in,” said Ten Hag.
“We have an important game tomorrow, we want to top
the group.”
Read more Sports
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
