Man Utd confirm latest injury setback in defence for Bournemouth clash

Manchester United will be without defender Raphael Varane for the next few weeks due to a muscle injury picked up in the recent defeat at Chelsea.

The Red Devils have struggled with fitness issues all season and have been particularly hamstrung in defence, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia all spending significant spells on the sidelines.

French World Cup winner Varane is another who has been absent at points in 2023/24 and, after he was replaced at half-time in both the draw at Brentford and the loss to Chelsea, Man Utd have confirmed he will be missing for the foreseeable future, starting with Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

Northern Irishman Jonny Evans came on for the former Real Madrid centre-back at Stamford Bridge but only managed 21 minutes himself before succumbing to a knock, with 19-year-old Willy Kambwala brought on by manager Erik ten Hag.

Evans will also be missing due to a muscle problem, though United describe it as 'shorter-term'.

For now, however, it will be Harry Maguire partnering Kambwala as Man Utd aim to end the season in strong form, with FA Cup silverware still up for grabs.

Ten Hag will give updates on the rest of his squad in his pre-match press conference on Friday, with Marcus Rashford picking up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Scott McTominay was absent entirely from the matchday squad.

The likes of Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are also unavailable due to injury.

The Red Devils have a score to settle with the Cherries this weekend, having been soundly beaten by Andoni Iraola's side 3-0 at Old Trafford in December. Victory for the south coast outfit would reduce the gap between the two sides to only five points.

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