Erik ten Hag has issued an injury update on two Manchester United stars following the 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory earlier this week.
Raphael Varane and David de Gea both started the 4-0 over Liverpool last week, with Varane playing the first half and De Gea lasting roughly 70 minutes. The Spaniard was expected to play the entire game but pulled up with an injury halfway through the second half.
The pair were both left out of the squad to face Melbourne Victory and United’s new boss has now updated supporters on their fitness, confirming that both players should be back soon.
“David, you saw against Liverpool, he fell out [injured] but he trains already and is back on the training pitch,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
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“Rapha is also training but, yeah, something small, and I expect him back on the training pitch.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Ten Hag, with the next game against Crystal Palace set to be played in less than 72 hours.
SN’s verdict…
Varane and De Gea are two players Ten Hag will be desperate to keep fit as both are expected to be mainstays in his side. United are close to signing Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and that will provide cover for Varane, who has struggled with injuries since joining the club last year.
There is, however, not an obvious replacement for De Gea. Tom Heaton started the game against Melbourne Victory and although he has an impressive Premier League career behind him, there are questions about whether he’s good enough to be United’s second-choice goalkeeper.
