Boost for Liverpool as Manchester United set to be without Raphael Varane for Liverpool clash

Manchester United star Raphael Varane injured ahead of the clash against Liverpool

Manchester United faces a major headache as French defender Raphael Varane has been hit with an injury blow during the Nations League final against Spain. The Les Bleus star could be out for an indefinite period leaving the Manchester club with few options.

Varane joins Red Devils skipper Harry Maguire and teammates Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo on the club’s injured lists of players. However, with the latter two expected to make an imminent return, the Red Devils can breathe a sigh of relief.

United’s issues are at the back. With Varane also now out, they have other first-choice centre-back pairing watching on from the sidelines. Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side have only one clean sheet from seven Premier League matches, hinting at their defensive frailty.

Manchester United Personnel Situation

With their starting centre-backs out for an indefinite period, United face a difficult run of games in the form of Leicester City, Atalanta, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly could be the starting centre-back duo in their next fixture against Leicester.

According to Dr Rajpal Brar (h/t Leicestershire Live), Varane could be out for one to three weeks depending on the severity of the injury. The doctor has also mentioned that surgery is highly unlikely upon observing the situation that unfolded after the injury.

With a difficult set of games in October, Man Utd would want a fully fit squad to help them get through it. Getting Maguire and Varane match ready would be their absolute priority for that very reason.

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Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side could be looking to take advantage of United’s current situation. The Merseyside club suffered from a similar injury plague that affected their three centre-backs last season, only much worse.

The Reds have done well going forward this season and will relish facing United’s third and fourth choice defenders. Whether this will eventually make the difference on the night remains to be seen.