Why Raphael Varane is absent for Manchester United vs Fulham FA Cup fixture

Raphael Varane is absent from Manchester United's squad to play Fulham to due a knock.

Varane struggled with injury last season, but he's remained at full fitness for most of this campaign, which has enabled him to make 17 starts in the Premier League, which is just three short of his entire total (20 league starts) from last term.

The centre-back, who retired from international football in February to have more time for his family and United, had not sustained an injury since football resumed after the World Cup but he's unavailable to play Fulham in the FA Cup through a knock.

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United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon and Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have started in defence in Varane's absence, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw at full-back.

Ten Hag discussed his team selection with ITV Sport ahead of kick-off and he commented on the centre-back situation. "Win the game, it's all about that. Of course, we want to play a good game, but first of all, it's about winning," Ten Hag said.

"You have to find a way to win. Obviously, Raphael Varane together with Licha is a very good partnership, but we have good [players] behind them as well. With Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, so we have a good squad there.

"We have already played lots of games without Casemiro and we can fill it in, in different ways, no player is the same, so we use a different shape, but have confidence this will work."

Ten Hag was also asked specifically about what he wanted to see from Jadon Sancho against Fulham and he added: "What we always want to see from him. First, create chances, run behind, dribbles and of course, a good