Manchester United: How deep is the cut left by Raphael Varane’s injury blow?

Manchester United will be without Raphael Varane for a “few weeks” according to reports; no injury is timely but this could not have come at a worse time for the club and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who have important fixtures coming up.

The international curse is in full effect following several injuries to key players from the English Premier League – one of the players coming off with an untimely setback – Manchester United’s central defender Raphael Varane.

While France were on route to claim the National League throne in their victory over Spain, Varane had to come off injured, causing major concern for those back at Old Trafford.

The club has not been clear on the time frame he will spend on the sideline but the Frenchman will certainly miss the Leicester City clash. They are already having trouble at the back – and there have been no signs of Harry Maguire returning in time for this weekend either.

If Raphael misses only the Foxes encounter, then joy for the Red Devils. However, if he has suffered the worst grading of the specific injury he sustained, then we could see the summer arrival missing up to four weeks of action – this is according to the independent – who referred to Dr Brar’s in-depth YouTube explanation.

"Raphael Varane went off injured during France’s Uefa Nations League final victory over Spain, with the Manchester United defender facing between a week and almost a month on the sidelines.That’s according to injury expert and doctor of physical therapy, fitness and movement, Dr. Rajpal Brar."

If Raphael Varane is out for a month he will miss…

• Leicester City (Away)
• Atalanta (Home)
• Liverpool (Home)
• Tottenham (Away)
• Atalanta (Away)
• Man City (Home)

The importance of these up and coming fixtures for Manchester United

All of these encounters for the Red Devils are the difference between topping the table in both the Premier League and Champions League or, fighting for a European spot and joining the Europa League competition.

Liverpool is the first of the top-four club to play on Saturday – a loss to the Hornets at Vicarage Road and a victory against Leicester City for United – and they go top of the log until their neighbours Manchester City and league leaders Chelsea’s results define their position.

The next match, a midweek UCL clash, a win here and the Red Devils are top of their group, with only a point separating first and third place. Even in the next clash, a win would solidify their lead and almost confirm their qualification to the last 16.

The win against the Foxes will set up a mouth-watering clash between the oldest rivals in the game when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford. A win and they mean business.

Them a trip to North London and a visit from the Cityzens; winning both would positively prove they are title contenders and see them leading the pack. The theme here: there is no question that the next set of fixtures will have a knock-on effect for United.

Sadly, if they must take on these all challengers without the world-class services of Raphael Varane, then the cut left by the international break injury will unquestionably be deep.

How many wins could Manchester United get from the next six if Raphael Varane is injured for a full month?