Raphael Varane could return to Manchester United on Saturday against Aston Villa in the final game of the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of Australia.
Varane was injured in training after the opening match of the tour, against Liverpool in Bangkok.
Another star who has not been available due to injury, James Garner, could also have a chance when he resumes full training.
Garner was desperate to show new coach Erik ten Hag what he can do on the tour, but the untimely injury has paid off so far.
In another open house training day yesterday, reporters saw both players training, although they were not included in the “first eleven” in a training match that could hint at Saturday’s starting eleven.
Absent from training was Scott McTominay, who retired in the half when United beat Crystal Palace 3-1.
Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell reports that McTominay “was working out in the gym” at the club’s hotel.
The possible starting eleven based on yesterday’s training match would be De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw or Malacia, Fred, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford and Martial.
Judging by this 11-player warm-up training, it looks like the field selection will come from Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Malaysia, Fred, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford and Martial.
McTominay working out in the gym at the hotel.
Varane + Garner also train here. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/dCyPHl8CKt
– Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) July 21, 2022
After Saturday, United only have two more warm-up games before the start of the season, against Atletico Madrid in Oslo and Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on 30 and 31 July, respectively.
The fact that matches fall on consecutive days makes it very unlikely that the same teams will start both games.
The European friendlies could offer United fans a first look at the new signings Lisandro Martínez and Christian Eriksen. It will be interesting to see, with Martinez in the fold and Varane in shape, who Ten Hag wants to be their starting central defense association for the new season, which will start against Brighton in just over two weeks on August 7th.
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