Raphael Varane made his return for Manchester United at the weekend and helped the team to another clean sheet.
The France international defender was back in the starting line-up after an injury suffered in the first leg against Sevilla last month.
Despite initial fears Raphael Varane could be out for the rest of the season, the centre-back has returned for the final four games of the league campaign, and the FA Cup final.
Varane came through his return well, playing 81 minutes of his comeback match as United beat Wolves 2-0 thanks to goals from Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho.
Raphael Varane key to FA Cup success
Raphael Varane’s return helped United to stop a slide in form of two consecutive defeats and return to winning ways.
The victory moved the side a step closer to securing Champions League football, with two wins now required from the final three games.
But the game United are really focused on, is the FA Cup final, and Varane’s experience will be key to United’s chances.
This was a point raised by MUTV pundit Danny Simpson, who told the channel after the win over Wolves that he was impressed with Varane’s comeback.
He said: “It’s perfect timing. Him and Martinez, the relationship they had, just to have one of them in there marshaling the back four, with David as well, Casemiro in front, that experience settles the whole team.
“It bodes well for the rest of the season and the FA Cup final. He’s going to be massively important if we are going to get our hands on that trophy.”
Varane’s return allowed United to move Luke Shaw back into his preferred left-back role too.
Shaw has been excellent at centre-back, but it has felt like United have been missing something at left-back.
The team is taking shape for the cup final at Wembley and if fit, Varane is a locked in starter for the showdown with City.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
