Manchester United Defender, Raphael Varane, has been ruled out for a few weeks as Manchester United’s injury issues pile up ahead of the Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag’s side head to North London on Sunday for their final match before the international break without several key players.
Luke Shaw and Mason Mount picked up issues in the first week of the season, while summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has yet to make his debut due to a back complaint.
Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Tom Heaton have missed the start of the season and now experienced Varane faces a spell on the sidelines.
A club statement said “Raphael Varane will be missing from the team when Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday due to injury. The France international came off at half-time in our 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday due to the complaint, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.”
Accoding to sources, Manchester United are expecting Varane to be back in less than the six weeks. The 30-year-old has dealt with a number of injuries since moving to Old Trafford in 2021 and, having retired from the France set-up in February, will have the international break to work towards his return.
Victor Lindelof came on to partner Lisandro Martinez against Forest and it will be between the Swede and Harry Maguire to come into the starting XI.
A Loan Move for Sofyan Amraba
Meanwhile, Man United is working on a loan move for Sofyan Amraba ahead of Friday’s deadline – with the Red Devils unlikely to land the Fiorentina midfielder on a permanent deal because of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. United were fined £256,000 for a breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules back in July, 2023.
Amrabat, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in summer, is keen to join the Red Devils and is under contract at the Italian club until 2024.
The defensive midfielder shone for Morocco during their journey to the World Cup semi-final in Qatar last year and has since attracted plenty of interest from top European clubs.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have also been looking at Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as a potential summer signing, but their pursuit has hit a bump in the road this month.
The Red Devils now have no more than three days to secure a loan deal for Amrabat, as the Premier League’s transfer window shuts on Friday.
Meanwhile, United also launched a shock £2.5m bid to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea on loan, aware that first-choice left-back Luke Shaw is set for an extended period on the sidelines.
Cucurella is viewed as the top candidate by United because it’s believed he would most suit Erik ten Hag’s system.
The Spanish international has yet to play a single Premier League minute so far this season, having been an unused sub in Chelsea’s first three games.
United are also in the process of selling second-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace, having signed Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce earlier this summer to replace him.
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