Raphael Varane‘s injury is not as bad as first feared, with sources telling ESPN the defender is set to miss three to four weeks but he won’t play for Manchester United again before the World Cup.
Varane, 29, had an MRI scan on Sunday after leaving United’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Chelsea with an injury on Saturday. However, the France international sees the diagnosis as a positive one in terms of his chances of helping Les Bleus defend the World Cup in Qatar next month.
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The injury leaves France coach Didier Deschamps with a decision to make as Varane is unlikely to be fit for their World Cup opening game against Australia on Nov. 22.
France name their squad for the World Cup on Nov. 9 but countries can replace injured players up to the day before their first match.
Varane rejected the opportunity to leave the pitch at Stamford Bridge on a stretcher, preferring to walk off although he was visibly distressed by the injury to his knee.
