Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jimisayo Opanuga
Published on 2024-04-03 14:11:51
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are on track to make a welcome return to Manchester United’s injury-plagued defense for their upcoming match against Chelsea. The Red Devils have been struggling with injuries this season, which has contributed to their disappointing performance in the Premier League and early exit from European competitions.
After a lackluster 1-1 draw with Brentford, United find themselves in sixth place in the table, trailing fifth-placed Tottenham by nine points. The team has been hit hard by injuries, with Victor Lindelof likely to be sidelined for a month due to a hamstring injury. Lisandro Martinez has also suffered a calf problem, while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain out of action.
Despite the injury woes, United manager Erik ten Hag is optimistic about Varane and Evans returning to fitness in time for the Chelsea match. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Ten Hag expressed relief that there were no additional injury concerns in the frontline and midfield areas. However, he acknowledged the lack of options in defense but revealed that Varane and Evans were back in training. Additionally, Harry Maguire had returned to training the day before.
When asked about the high number of muscle-related injuries suffered by his team this season, Ten Hag hinted that they have a plan to address the issue internally. He attributed the injuries to the intense nature of the Premier League, the demanding schedule, and the international commitments of the players. He pointed out that other top teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle were facing similar injury problems.
Despite the challenges in the defensive department, Ten Hag assured that players in the midfield and frontline were available for selection. He emphasized the collective nature of the injury issues across various teams and reiterated the difficulties posed by the physical demands of the league.
In conclusion, Manchester United could receive a much-needed boost with the potential returns of Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans for their upcoming clash with Chelsea. The team will be hoping for a positive outcome as they look to overcome their injury woes and improve their position in the Premier League standings.
