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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United get Raphael Varane boost but suffer Marcus Rashford blow

Raphael Varane is available again for Manchester United but Marcus Rashford is a doubt for the Premier League visit of Wolves.

Varane has been sidelined for the last four weeks with an ankle injury but the Manchester Evening News revealed United were hopeful of his return for the Wolves fixture.

"Rapha Varane is back and Rashford is doubtful," United manager Erik ten Hag said. "He has a problem, so injury on his leg. He's a big question mark for tomorrow but happy Rapha Varane is back.

Read more: Add Amad and sign a striker - how Man Utd can improve goalscoring under Ten Hag

"As I say, (Rashford is) doubtful, more than doubtful, so a big question mark. We have players who can score goals and they have the opportunity now to show it.

"Varane is experienced, knows how to win and will lead how to win, will guide us."

"Alejandro Garnacho has one more week training, definitely, so he is available. We have seen he can bring something extra in the team."

Excluding international breaks, United had their first free midweek since September after the 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Sunday and there will be a seven-day gap between their fixtures against Wolves and Bournemouth.

United lost both away games at West Ham and Brighton last week and Ten Hag conceded they lacked energy in both. Ten Hag believes the squad is now energised after two days off at the start of the week.

"We had a week and we needed it to reset, to reload, to recharge, to get the energy back," Ten Hag explained, "because we had a lack of it in the last two games.

"I see a lot of energy, joy on the pitch, we could also work in detail on some facts, so it was good."

Fourth-placed United are only a point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand that will be played in the final week of the season against Chelsea. However, United play two days before Jurgen Klopp's team, who travel to relegation-threatened Leicester on Monday.

"No," Ten Hag replied when asked if United were nervous. "We are convinced with what we are doing, we had a lot of success, we won a lot of games with the way we work, the method of work, the way we're playing, the structures are really clear.

"But we have to execute them and that was the problem in some last games. We have to show 100 per cent discipline in rules and principles. When we do that, we are successful."

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