Erik ten Hag confirms injured Man Utd duo are set to return vs Sheffield Utd

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon are available for selection for Saturday’s game against Sheffield United.

Manchester United head to the Premier League’s bottom side hoping to build on that injury-time victory last time out against Brentford. United were without both Varane and Reguilon for that encounter, with the former missing the last four matches through injury, while Varane sat the last game out with a minor knock.

But speaking ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane, Ten Hag explained that he has greater defensive options at his disposal this weekend. “Rapha Varane is back, so I think, especially in the backline, I’m very happy with Rapha back and Sergio back,” the Dutchman told the club’s in-house media team.

The returns of Varane and Reguilon will a huge relief for Ten Hag, given the ex-Ajax manager had just four defenders available for the Brentford match two weeks ago, with Victor Lindelof forced to play at left-back, while Sofyan Amrabat has also been deployed in that role over recent weeks.

Yet, while there's good news on the defensive front, it was confirmed on Thursday that Casemiro won’t be involved against the Blades due to a knock he picked up on international duty. But Ten Hag said he is confident that the ex-Real Madrid man will be back in time for the Manchester derby on 29 October, following the midweek Champions League encounter against Copenhagen, a match Casemiro is suspended for.

“It’s disappointing that Casemiro picked up an injury but it’s not too bad. I’m sure and confident he will be back for the next games, so very short notice,” he explained. “The good thing is also that Sofyan Amrabat is available,” Ten Hag added, after the on-loan midfielder missed both of Morocco’s matches over the recent international break.

United will still be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad for Saturday’s match, while Jadon Sancho remains frozen out by the United boss.