LONDON (AFP) – French World Cup winning defender Raphael Varane’s hopes of playing in this year’s finals dimmed on Wednesday as Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he will not play before the tournament gets underway on November 20.
The 29-year-old former Real Madrid star left the pitch in tears with a leg injury during United’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea last Saturday.
“Varane isn’t in the squad,” said Ten Hag at a press conference on the eve of United’s Europa League match with Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol.
“He will be out until the World Cup. We have to see how he develops, how his rehab will develop.”
Varane, who has suffered several long-term injury absences during his career, adds to France coach Didier Deschamps’ headaches ahead of his naming his squad for the finals in Qatar on November 9.
N’Golo Kante, Chelsea’s defensive midfielder will definitely miss the tournament with a hamstring injury.
