Paul Scholes concerned about number of injuries Raphael Varane is picking up

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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is concerned about the number of injuries Raphael Varane has picked up since joining the club.

The 29-year-old was replaced by Victor Lindelof on the hour mark of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Frenchman was visibly distressed and teary after picking up the injury when trying to tackle Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

With the World Cup looming, United’s number 19 maybe fearing the worst and that his chances of trying to retain the trophy with Les Bleus in Qatar have been dashed.

Paul Scholes concerned about number of injuries Raphael Varane is picking up

There is no denying that when Varane is fit and available, Manchester United are a more robust, solid and organised outfit.

The former Real Madrid man has struck up a positive understanding with Argentine Lisandro Martinez, and the duo have all the potential to conjure up a formidable partnership.

But in his fourth appearances since picking up an ankle injury in the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City, Varane looks set to have yet another spell on the sidelines.

In his first season at Old Trafford after making his £34m move – which could rise to £42m with add-ons from Los Blancos, Varane started 20 Premier League games.

Speaking about the impact Varane’s latest injury could have on Erik ten Hag’s side, Scholes was under no illusion that the four-time Champions League winner will be a “big miss”, but the former England international was concerned by the volume of injuries the France international was picking up since moving to the Theatre of Dreams.

Speaking to Premier League Productions via Optus Sport, United’s former midfield maestro said: “He must know he’s done something really bad and that he’ll be out for a while, that’s the only thing I can think of. You don’t really see players, centre halves especially getting that emotional.

“United will miss him, he’s a big miss. We were talking before about 1 v 1 defenders and he’s capable of that.

“In his top physical condition of a few years ago, he was up there with the likes of Jaap [Stam] and Rio [Ferdinand]. I’m not sure he’s quite at that level now, he’s picking up a lot of injuries, but he’s the one centre half you’d fancy one on one.

“The rest of them, (Victor) Lindelof is going to come in quite slow, (Harry) Maguire, we know the troubles he’s had, we know Martinez isn’t a 1 v 1 defender.

“You wonder how that will affect the team, especially in the middle of the pitch because you’ll be thinking he’ll (Ten Hag) have to play two holding players to protect whatever is behind him.

“We just don’t see him enough because unfortunately he’s at that stage of his career now where he seems to be picking up a load of injuries.”