Manchester United are now optimistic Raphael Varane could be fit for the FA Cup final.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed he hopes to have Raphael Varane back fit and available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City following his side’s dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout triumph over Brighton. The dependable Frenchman has been sidelined since the 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla in which he was forced off with a concerning ankle problem.
Initially, there were fears Varane’s season could now be over due to the nature of the swelling but it appears the former Real Madrid centre-back could yet hand United a monstrous boost before the end of the season by proving his fitness.
Jubilant head coach Ten Hag has since told talkSPORT that he is hopeful Varane will now be back to face City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, June 3.
Reports suggest Varane could be sidelined for up to six weeks with the problem meaning he would in fact be in line to play a part in United’s Wembley showdown at the end of the domestic campaign once the Premier League season has been completed.
The Red Devils still have eight Premier League fixtures left to fulfil before their top-flight season officially comes to an end but it seems unlikely Varane will be back before then.
Lisandro Martinez, who has formed an eye-catching partnership with Varane at the heart of defence, is also out for the rest of the season but crucially, there is no chance of his availability for the FA Cup final after suffering a fractured metatarsal.
Varane is now being monitored carefully by United’s medical staff and he will continually be assessed over the coming weeks as United fight to secure a top-four finish.
Ten Hag could now end his debut season at Old Trafford with two major trophies and United also remain on course to seal their return to the Champions League after one year of Europa League football.
United made hard work of their victory at Wembley against Brighton, however, having failed to score in 120 minutes of gruelling action.
Brighton had some chances of their own and David de Gea had to be at the top of his game to ensure the Seagulls remained at bay.
The Red Devils eventually booked their place in the final when Solly March blazed his spot-kick high over the crossbar.
Victor Lindelof then stepped up to the plate and struck his penalty home with confidence to book another Wembley trip for the travelling United faithful.
Captain Harry Maguire will also be available for the final after serving a one-match suspension against Albion.
Ten Hag is now looking forward to the showdown with City at the end of the season but first, he wants to see some consistency from his side following a sticky run of form.
“It’s going to be a great final, but first we have other things to focus on. It’s important to get into the Champions League next season,” Ten Hag said of the mouthwatering matchup with Manchester City.
“We have to perform again on Thursday and Sunday. We’ve shown so often this season that we can do that. It shows the character and ambition of this team.”
United now travel to Tottenham on Thursday as they seek to move another step closer towards a top-four finish.
Spurs are currently wounded animals after they were ruthlessly ripped apart by Newcastle on Tyneside earlier on Sunday afternoon as the Magpies extraordinarily ran out 6-1 winners.
Source: express.co.uk
