Erik ten Hag has hinted that Raphael Varane could return for the FA Cup final against Manchester City – despite initial fears he would miss the rest of the season.
Manchester United secured their place in the showpiece event thanks to a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Brighton on Sunday after Solly March blazed a decisive spot kick over the bar before Victor Lindelof netted the winning penalty.
Varane went off with an ankle injury during the first leg of United’s 5-2 Europa League quarter-final defeat to Sevilla, with the Red Devils 2-0 up in the tie at the time.
It was reported he would miss up to six weeks of action and therefore be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
However, with the FA Cup final not until June 3 in what is later than usual, Ten Hag claimed the Frenchman may be fit for the huge clash as United attempt to secure a domestic double after they won the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
Erik ten Hag has hinted that Raphael Varane could return for the FA Cup final against Man City
Varane has been absent since picking up an ankle injury earlier this month against Sevilla
‘I think so,’ Ten Hag told talkSPORT when asked about Varane’s potential availability for the final.
‘Yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return.’
It is a huge boost for Ten Hag and his defence with Lisandro Martinez already ruled out for the remainder of the season with the Argentine defender undergoing successful surgery last week after he suffered a broken metatarsal.
At Wembley, Harry Maguire was also suspended so an unfamiliar partnership of Lindelof and Luke Shaw filled in and the Dutchman was delighted with how they did.
He added: ‘I’ve talked all season about more than the starting XI. Victor Lindelof, it’s so great for him. He’s played his games but not as much as he probably expected.
It was feared the French defender may miss the rest of the season but Erik Ten Hag said he could be fit for the FA Cup final against City on June 3
He also hailed the makeshift defensive pairing of Victor Lindelof (centre) and Luke Shaw (right)
‘Now is his chance and he’s taken his chance because he was there. Luke showed composure in defending and organising, building up and he played a decent game. This is what we expected.
‘For the rest of the season, some players, we have to rely on them and I talked about it all season.’
Ten Hag also confirmed Alejandro Garnacho is expected to return from injury in the near future but Donny van de Beek remains sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
Click Here: cheap nike air zoom shoes
United return to action on Thursday when they face top four rivals Tottenham – with the Red Devils currently six points clear of Cristian Stellini’s side having played two games fewer.