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The defender is currently recuperating from an injury that has sidelined him since early April.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hopeful to have Raphael Varane back for the FA Cup final against arch rivals Manchester City.
United reached the ultimate stage of the domestic competition after seeing off Brighton – in a post-match penalty shootout after a goalless draw both in regulation and added time – and will face their cross-town rivals on June 3.
Varane has been unavailable for Ten Hag since he got injured during the Europa League match against Sevilla at Old Trafford.
Speculation was rife that the 29-year-old would be sidelined for a long time, even after the club confirmed he would recover in a ‘few weeks'. But with the FA Cup final in early June, there is time for the Frenchman to recover and be available for the match.
"I think so," Ten Hag replied when asked about Varane’s possible return. "Yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return."
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08:30 - 24.04.2023
FA CUP ‘Manchester United can deal with setbacks’ – Ten Hag
United bounced back from Sevilla defeat to beat Brighton and reach the FA Cup final.
Apart from Varane, Alejandro Garnacho could also be available for the Red Devils.
United have been dealing with serious injuries, and Ten Hag had to pair Victor Lindelof, the scorer of the winning penalty vs Brighton and Man of the Match, with Luke Shaw at the center of his defence.
Shaw had made a recovery after being sidelined previously.
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21:35 - 23.04.2023
FOOTBALL Manchester United win nervy shootout to set up FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City
The Red Devils had to do it the hard way as they overcame Brighton on post-match penalties at Wembley
After undergoing a foot operation, Lisandro Martinez, who was injured in the same match as Varane, is ruled out for the rest of the season.
Lisandro and Varane are Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-backs and in their absence, Harry Maguire and Lindelof are the natural replacements. Maguire, however, was suspended and could not face Brighton at Wembley.
"Victor Lindelof, it's so great for him. He's played his games, but not as much as he probably expected. Now is his chance, and he's taken his chance because he was there.
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06:55 - 23.04.2023
FA CUP ‘Mahrez is always grumpy when not playing’ – Guardiola
The forward played a phenomenal role as City booked their FA Cup final ticket on June 3 and will play either Manchester United or Brighton.
"Luke showed composure in defending and organising, building up, and he played a decent game. This is what we expected.
"For the rest of the season, we have to rely on some players, and I talked about it all season," Ten Hag stated while discussing the makeshift defensive partnership against Brighton.
Next for United is a league match against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
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