MANCHESTER UNITED have received a rare boost with Raphael Varane expected to return early from injury.
The 28-year-old limped out of France’s 2-1 Nations League final win over Spain earlier this month.
He was set to be missing for a number of weeks, and not back in the United squad until next month.
But SunSport understands he has been given the green light to step up his recovery by medics.
He has started ball-work again this week in training, and has been running with the conditioning team.
Varane has also been using the bike in the gym, along with strength work to keep up his fitness.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted he could even be back in the squad for this weekend’s clash against Tottenham.
But it is more likely he will return for the crunch Manchester derby against City the following week.
The former Real Madrid star is working at around 70 per cent and could be back with the main group later this week.
RARE GOOD NEWS FOR MAN U?
United are reluctant to rush him back, with fears of aggravating the injury and causing it to flare up again.
It is understood the initial prognosis could even see him missing around five-weeks of the season.
But those worries have been dampened by his fast recovery and his muscles holding up to early work.
A statement on Varane last month read: “Raphael Varane sustained a groin muscle injury in the UEFA Nations League final.
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“He has commenced rehabilitation at the club. He will be out for a few weeks.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial is also pushing for a return against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The only confirmed player missing from Solskjaer’s travelling squad is midfielder Paul Pogba.
He will miss three matches after his red card for a horror tackle on Naby Keita during their 5-0 humiliation by Liverpool on Sunday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
