Raphael Varane asked to play for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest nine days after the World Cup final.
Varane only reported for training on Monday and has had one session but offered to start amid a defensive injury crisis.
Harry Maguire missed the 2-0 League Cup win over Burnley through illness last week and Victor Lindelof, who started against the Clarets, has subsequently fallen ill and Lisandro Martinez is still unavailable.
Read more: Why Maguire is absent as Shaw starts at centre back
Argentina defender Martinez was an unused substitute in the World Cup final in Qatar but travelled to Buenos Aires with the rest of the national squad to savour the celebrations after their third World Cup triumph.
Varane recovered from an ankle injury he sustained in United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22 to start in six of France's seven games at the World Cup.
The 29-year-old contracted a virus days before the final at the Lusail Stadium but overcame it to play 113 minutes before being replaced by Ibrahima Konate.
United have only lost three times with Varane on the pitch this calendar year.
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