Man Utd injury crisis mounts as Erik ten Hag ‘learns’ Raphael Varane layoff

Manchester United have suffered their latest early-season injury blow ahead of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, with Raphael Varane set for a spell on the sidelines. Erik ten Hag has reportedly learned of the prolonged period United may have to go without Varane after he picked up an issue against Nottingham Forest.

The 30-year-old centre-back has started all three of United’s Premier League games this season, reuniting his partnership with Lisandro Martinez.

But concerns were raised after Varane didn’t emerge from the tunnel for the second half of Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win over Forest at Old Trafford.

After full-time, Ten Hag confirmed that Varane had some ‘complaints’, leading to the decision to replace him with Victor Lindelof.

And fresh reports claim the French World Cup winner’s injury will keep him out of action for longer than this weekend’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.

According to Sky Sports, Varane could miss up to six weeks for United, including fixtures in three competitions to make a sticky start to the campaign even more challenging.

In that period, the Red Devils face five Premier League games, their opening two Champions League group stage matches and the first step of their Carabao Cup defence in the third round.

A six-week timescale would leave Varane sidelined until the week commencing October 9, which includes an international break to soften the blow.

But still, before then, Ten Hag’s side are set for league games against Arsenal and Burnley away from home and Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Brentford at Old Trafford.

United will learn their Champions League and Carabao Cup opponents this week, and will now hope for favourable draws to lower the risk of early exits.

Ten Hag has been struck by a wave of early injury issues at the start of his second season as United manager.