Manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United will have to 'take care' of Raphael Varane after he was included in the starting line-up for Tuesday evening's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman, who has not played for United since being forced off with a hamstring injury during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at October 22, has been thrown straight back into the fold, just nine days after appearing for France in the World Cup final in Qatar. The defender played 113 minutes of the final defeat to Argentina before being forced off in the latter stages of extra-time through fatigue.
Varane had suffered from illness in the days leading up to the final and was a doubt to face Lionel Scaloni's side.
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He has since recently returned to United ahead of the resumption of the Premier League campaign and has been handed a surprise starting berth. And Ten Hag has confirmed that Varane is only playing against Forest because of the lack of options United have available to them at centre-back.
Lisandro Martinez is yet to return to training following Argentina's win over France, Victor Lindelof is out through illness and Harry Maguire is only strong enough to be named on the bench following a recent bout of illness himself. Scott McTominay, who was another option to play at centre-back, is also unavailable through illness.
"I had a talk with him yesterday [Monday], Raphael takes responsibility and that is why he is so successful, winning so many trophies and he is so important to the squad," Ten Hag said, speaking pre-match. "He said 'I am ready, play me'.
"Varane has been training but of course you have to take some conditions with his (injury) history. [The] World Cup was quite intense for him and played a lot of minutes with France.
"We have to take care of him. This is an emergency case and that is why he is playing."
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