Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is reportedly making good progress in his battle to prove his fitness ahead of this month’s World Cup.
The 29-year-old picked up a thigh injury during the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month when attempting to tackle Blues striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
United’s number 19 was visibly emotional when picking up the injury and his teammates consoled him as his World Cup availability was immediately plunged into doubt.
The four-time Champions League winner has missed United’s last four games, but according to French newspaper L’Equipe, the former Real Madrid centre-back looks to be winning the race to prove his fitness ahead of Didier Deschamps naming his 26-man Les Bleus squad for Qatar.
Report provides update on Raphael Varane’s battle to prove fitness ahead of World Cup
Ahead of Deschamps naming his squad on Wednesday, L’Equipe report that the France manager will be able to count upon his vice-captain.
With Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante ruled out of the tournament in the Middle East, missing Varane would have been another big blow for the defending world champions.
The report from L’Equipe states: “Raphael Varane has resumed running on the carpet in recent days.
“After a passage by Clairefontaine to treat his injury, the defender of the France team is better and remains in the announced time of his rehabilitation.”
Erik ten Hag didn’t expect to have Varane available for the Red Devils until after the World Cup, but L’Equipe report that the 87-time France international could return to training before joining up with the rest of the France side next Monday.
France, who have been drawn alongside Denmark, Australia and Tunisia in Group D, face the Socceroos in their opening game in 15 days time.
Judging by Varane’s encouraging fitness update, the World Cup winner could be fit and available to take his place in France’s starting line-up from the start of the tournament.
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