Manchester United identify possible Raphael Varane return date

Manchester United are hopeful Raphael Varane could return for their Premier League fixture against Wolves next week.

Varane has been sidelined for the last three weeks with an apparent ankle injury he sustained in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla but United manager Erik ten Hag indicated Varane would return before the end of the season.

Sources say, all being well, Varane could be available for the visit of Wolves on May 13 - three weeks before United's FA Cup final against Manchester City.

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United also travel to Bournemouth on May 20 before their league season ends with successive home games against Chelsea and Fulham.

"Prognosis: Rapha is closer than Scott McTominay in this moment but still for the coming two games they are not available," Ten Hag said on Wednesday.

Varane, 30, has appeared 30 times for United this season, having missed six games in October and November with a leg injury.

United have been without the Frenchman for their last six games against and they have only secured two wins.

Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have formed an impressive partnership at centre half in United's last four games, with the £80million captain Harry Maguire on the bench against Aston Villa and Brighton.

Ten Hag favours a right-footed and left-footed axis in defence and Varane was partnered by Shaw when United beat City at Old Trafford in January.

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