Erik ten Hag confirms Man Utd defender is back for Fulham trip but another a doubt with illness

Erik ten Hag confirmed that Victor Lindelof is a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League match against Fulham, however, the Manchester United manager confirmed that Raphael Varane is back for the trip to Craven Cottage.

The latter missed the midweek defeat against Newcastle United due to illness and has played just one of the last five in all competitions, including last Sunday’s defeat against Manchester City, with Ten Hag saying after the match that he chose to start Jonny Evans for tactical reasons.

But, ahead of the trip to Fulham, Ten Hag said Varane is ‘ready’ to return to the team and will travel with the squad, which could come as a timely boost given Lindelof might miss Saturday’s game due illness.

It means Varane could line up alongside Harry Maguire in the heart of defence, although Evans is another option. Ten Hag also named Lindelof as the only new injury concern for Saturday’s game, meaning he is the only fresh concern.

Meanwhile, the United boss defended his players on Friday and rejected any suggestions that the team lacks characters.

“Remember only the fight we showed against Brentford, if there wasn’t spirit in the dressing room and characters in the dressing room, you couldn’t do this," he said.

“They want to put this right,” he added. “We know the standards here and we have to match the standards every day. We had two big setbacks but we will fight back. This dressing room is strong and this manager is strong to put it right.”