This Saturday, Manchester United faced another setback in their already extensive list of defensive absentees, as center-back Raphael Varane was unable to feature for the Red Devils.
Despite making a rare start against Liverpool last weekend and delivering a solid performance, Varane was expected to retain his place in the lineup against West Ham United in the Premier League. However, the Frenchman was noticeably absent from the squad, and manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that illness, not injury, was the reason for Varane’s exclusion.
The 30-year-old’s absence added to the defensive challenges already faced by Manchester United, with key players like Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Lisandro Martinez also sidelined due to injuries. The team had to cope with a depleted center-back lineup, pairing veteran Jonny Evans with 19-year-old Willy Kambwala, who made his unexpected debut against West Ham.
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In addition to defensive woes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial had recently missed games due to illness, highlighting the prevalent health challenges faced by Premier League squads during the winter. The absence of key players extended beyond the defense, with suspended Diogo Dalot, injured Tyrell Malacia, and midfielders Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, and Casemiro all unavailable. Furthermore, Jadon Sancho remained out of the first-team picture for disciplinary reasons.
Discussing Kambwala’s debut, Ten Hag commented, “He’s calm, made a good impression in training, but of course, he’s inexperienced, and it’s a big moment for him. He’s athletic, calm on the ball, and now he has his opportunity.” The Red Devils faced a challenging 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham, emphasizing the difficulties posed by the absence of key personnel across various positions.