Ten Hag expects Varane to make Man Utd return for FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag expects Raphael Varane to return to fitness in time to feature in Manchester United’s FA Cup final clash with cross-city rivals Manchester City.

Varane was substituted at half-time after sustaining an ankle injury during the first leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla, which the Red Devils lost 5-2 on aggregate.

Varane’s central defensive partner Lisandro Martinez suffered a season-ending metatarsal fracture in the same game, forcing Ten Hag to use a makeshift backline in recent matches.

With club captain Harry Maguire suspended, Luke Shaw partnered Victor Lindelof in the centre of defence as United reached a record-equalling 21st FA Cup final with Sunday’s penalty shoot-out win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

United will now face treble-chasing rivals City in a Wembley Stadium final on June 3, and the Red Devils are hopeful of having Varane available.

Asked whether Varane could feature in United’s second domestic cup final of the season, Ten Hag told talkSPORT: “I think so, yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return.”

Varane has made a total of 27 starts for United this campaign, having also been sidelined with ankle and leg injuries prior to last year’s World Cup.

United have fared well in Varane’s absence, winning 20 of their 25 games without him in the starting lineup across all competitions (L5), compared to 16 of their 27 with the Frenchman involved from the off (D7 L4).

See you in June, @WembleyStadium #MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/n5sdIora0V

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 23, 2023