Why Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Jonny Evans were substituted for Manchester United vs Chelsea

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Jonny Evans were enforced changes during Manchester United's game against Chelsea on Thursday night.

United's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League received a major blow at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea snatching victory from the jaws of defeat deep into injury time.

Ten Hag's side were leading 3-2 when the electronic board signalled there were eight minutes of additional time to be played and in dramatic circumstances, Chelsea scored twice in quick succession through Cole Palmer in the dying moments of the match to claim victory.

The result leaves United nine points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham and to make the result worse, there are now fitness doubts around Varane, Casemiro and Evans.

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Varane was brought off at half-time for a second game in a row and his replacement, Evans, was unusually substituted after being introduced for the second half.

Casemiro was also replaced with 15 minutes remaining. A frustrated Ten Hag was asked about his substitutions during his post-match press conference and said: "That doesn't help in such moments if you have to manage the game.

"Our leaders on the pitch, Casemiro, we also have to take off, that doesn't help, they know how to deal and bring a win over the line. So I can't tell now in perspective to Sunday but we had to take them both off."

When asked whether Varane will be fit for Liverpool, Ten Hag added: "In this moment, I don't know."

Varane, who is out of contract at the end of the season, passed a fitness test to be available to face Chelsea after sustaining a 'not too serious' injury against Brentford.

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