Manchester United will need Raphael Varane at the top of his game against Barcelona

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Manchester United will need Raphael Varane at the top of his game against Barcelona for the Europa League play-off first leg at the Nou Camp.

The 29-year-old looks to be winning his race to prove his fitness ahead of this month’s World Cup in Qatar.

The thigh injury he sustained away to Chelsea last month came at a time when the former Real Madrid ace was probably in the best form at club level since signing for the Red Devils last summer for an initial £34m.

United’s number 19 had established a fruitful partnership alongside Lisandro Martinez, but the four-time Champions League winner’s injury struggles reared their ugly head once again.

Since making the move from Los Blancos, the 87-time France international’s chapter at Old Trafford has been blighted by injury setbacks.

Manchester United will need Raphael Varane at the top of his game against Barcelona

This afternoon’s Europa League play-off draw produced a blockbuster with Erik ten Hag’s side drawn against Xavi’s Barca.

United will held to Catalonia for the first leg on 16 February and alongside former Los Blancos stars Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo, Varane will renew acquaintances with Madrid’s El Clasico rivals.

But with Martinez suspended for the first leg in Spain, Ten Hag will be hoping that Varane is at optimum fitness ahead of the battle against Blaugrana, which will see him come against one of the best strikers in world football Robert Lewandowski.

With the aggressive Argentine a big miss, Varane will have to lean on all of his big match pedigree and experience to help guide either Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof.

The World Cup winner has faced the prolific Poland international seven times throughout his career and he’ll have to be at his commanding best to keep the 34-year-old who has 18 goals to his name already this season quiet.

It might not well be the same competition, but Manchester United will need a Champions League performance from the man dubbed ‘Champions League Varane’ come 16 February.