RAPHAEL VARANE will not be available for selection against Leeds in a blow to Red Devils as his transfer from Real Madrid will not be not completed in time.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 48, has confirmed that the £43million deal struck with Real Madrid for the 28-year-old France international is not officially complete yet.
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As such, he will not be available to face Leeds on Saturday and has yet to take part in team trainin. He said: “He’s [Varane] not trained with us. Things happen and things take time.
“Unfortunately with the isolation and the delay, these things… It’s not 100 per cent done yet.”
In order for the centre-back to be available, he would need to have been registered by 12pm today, but United’s failure to push the move through in time means they’ll be without their new signing for the Leeds game.
Instead, Varane may have to wait until United take on Southampton at St. Mary’s next Sunday to make his debut for the club.
But even then, the player is still listed as a Real Madrid player by LaLiga, indicating that although a deal has been agreed, he remains a Madridista for the time being.
Solskjaer has tried to reassure fans that the deal will still be completed despite these complications, stating: “The big hold up was the quarantine of course but he’s in Manchester now. It will be done soon.”
With Varane unavailable and Rashford out for up to 12 weeks after an operation on his shoulder, there has been much speculation about how United will line up for their first game of the season.
The Norweigan has also hinted that there could yet be more signings at Old Trafford this summer, hinting: “You never know what is going to happen in football.
“We’ve still got one hopefully coming in, and any surprises, anything can happen. We’ve got to be ready, but I’m very happy with what we’ve done so far.”
United are reportedly locked in a two-horse transfer race with PSG for Rennes superstar Eduardo Camavinga, 18, who could be available for a reported £34m.
The Reds also appear to have given up in their pursuit of England star Kieran Trippier after reports that Diogo Dalot has convinced Solskjaer to give him another chance after an impressive pre-season.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
