Erik ten Hag outlines Raphael Varane availability for Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Erik ten Hag says he expects Raphael Varane to make the Manchester United squad against Bournemouth after missing the midweek win over Chelsea through injury.

The defender sustained a sore back prior to Wednesday’s clash, his third setback of the season. It means the 30-year-old has been unavailable for selection for six of United’s 22 fixtures so far.

Varane has struggled to regain his spot back in the starting XI after a poor start to the season and Harry Maguire’s improved form, which won him November’s Premier League Player of the Month. Varane has started just six games this term, four of which have come in the league.

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However, he may earn his 13th appearance of the season if called upon during Saturday’s contest with Bournemouth. When asked by club media whether Varane would be back in contention, Ten Hag replied: “I expect him to be in [the squad].”

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof has been ruled out of the match with a setback. Ten Hag has often underscored his preference for a left-footed player playing as the left-sided centre-back, having previously made this point when asked about whether Varane and Maguire can play together.

It is, therefore, more probable that Luke Shaw comes central to take the spot with Sergio Reguilon played at left-back. Maguire has started the last 11 matches and is arguably the first defender on the team sheet in current circumstances.

Ten Hag hailed the form of the player whom he stripped the captaincy off of this summer. “We know he had a tough year last season, but he kept fighting and he fought himself back in the team and I think he's playing excellent,” Manager of the Month