Man Utd give injury update on Raphael Varane ahead of Arsenal clash

Raphael Varane is set to be out for a 'few weeks' and will miss Sunday's game against Arsenal, Manchester United have confirmed.

The centre-back was withdrawn at half-time in the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, and Erik ten Hag revealed after the match it was due to a knock.

In a statement released on the club's website on Wednesday morning, United revealed Varane will spend a period of time on the sidelines. "Raphael Varane will be missing from the team when Manchester United face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday due to injury," United said.

"The France international came off at half-time in our 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday due to the complaint, which is expected to keep him out for a few weeks. Erik ten Hag may provide an update on team news during the pre-match press conference on Friday."

Varane's setback is a bitter blow in the midst of a plethora of injury issues for the Red Devils, and the 30-year-old is the third player to pick up a significant problem in the last week, following the injuries sustained by Luke Shaw and Mason Mount. In addition, Ten Hag is also without Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad and Rasmus Hojlund, bringing the current list of injuries up to eight.

Varane's repeated absentees raise another concern for Ten Hag, and the ex-Real Madrid man missed 28 games last season, most of which were down to injury, while he suffered from three separate issues the campaign prior.

With Varane and Shaw unavailable for this weekend's trip to the Emirates, Ten Hag is expected to name Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez at the back. The fourth spot is uncertain at this stage, with the Red Devils in the market for a left-back in the final days of the transfer window. Marc Cucurella is the name being most strongly linked, although other targets have been identified.

United have picked up six points from their opening two matches of the Premier League campaign, one more than Arsenal, who dropped points at home to Fulham on Saturday.