Raphael Varane will miss the next few weeks with a muscle injury leaving Manchester United in a defensive crisis.
It is hoped that the World Cup winner will return to action before the end of the season, but his injury means Erik ten Hag will be without three centre backs for the next few matches including the FA Cup semi final against Coventry City.
Varane joins Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines leaving United with a defensive headache as Jonny Evans will also miss the game against Bournemouth this weekend with a lesser muscle injury.
United face defensive crisis with Varane injury
With Varane and Evans both ruled out it leaves Harry Maguire as the only fit senior centre back, with left back Luke Shaw, who has filled in at centre back still sidelined with injury.
It means that teenager Willy Kambwala, who started alongside Maguire and impressed in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend is likely to keep his place against the Cherries.
It’s not just at centre back where United are struggling, they are also without both their senior left backs, with Tyrell Malacia expected to miss the whole season, but Shaw is hopeful of returning before the end of the campaign.
Varane picked up his injury in last week’s 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, and had been part of United’s first choice centre back pairing last season alongside Martinez, but the pair have only started five games together this season, and just two since August.
The 30 year old has missed 12 games this season through injury and has made 30 appearances in all competitions this campagin scoring once.
The France international joined from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2021 for £42m and has made 93 appearances in total for the Red Devils.
The Frenchman’s contract expires in 2025 and it remains to be seen if he will be sold this summer or offered a new deal to extend his stay in Manchester.