Raphael Varane: Why Man Utd defender missed Premier League clash v Chelsea

Raphael Varane missed Wednesday’s Premier League game against Chelsea due to a sore back.

The Frenchman, who has started just one of Manchester United's last 12 Premier League games, was a notable absentee when the squads were announced an hour before kick-off. The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag in the last few weeks and he recently claimed it is difficult for Varane and Harry Maguire to start together at the heart of defence.

Luke Shaw was preferred ahead of Varane at centre-back on Saturday in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, but it was Maguire and Victor Lindelof who started at Old Trafford against Chelsea, with Diogo Dalot and Shaw at full-back, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka dropping to the bench.

Jonny Evans has missed the last three league matches with a hamstring problem and was named in Wednesday’s squad.

In midfield, Ten Hag opted for Sofyan Amrabat ahead of Kobbie Mainoo. The youngster came into the team at Newcastle but struggled with the intensity of the Magpies’ midfield. Amrabat was joined by Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes in the middle against Chelsea.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial came in for criticism in the aftermath of the disappointing trip to Newcastle and both were dropped in place of Antony and Rasmus Hojlund, with Alejandro Garnacho also named in the front three.

For Chelsea, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill replaced Benoit Badiashile and Conor Gallagher in the starting XI at Old Trafford.

United starting XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Amrabat, McTominay, Fernandes, Antony, Hojlund, Garnacho.