Erik ten Hag gives Raphael Varane injury update after Nottingham Forest win

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are still awaiting news on the injury Raphael Varane suffered which forced the defender off at halftime of their 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.

The former France international was withdrawn with the Red Devils 2-1 down after a shocking opening five minutes that saw Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly put the visitors two goals ahead before Christian Eriksen halved the deficit.

Victor Lindelof replaced Varane as United sought two goals in the second half, strikes they got through Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes to move up to sixth in the Premier League.

Varane missed 15 games through injury last season and Ten Hag revealed United didn’t want to gamble on his fitness, especially with decent depth in central defence.

He said: “He had complaints. So we didn’t want to risk him. We know we have Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, good replacements.

“So we don’t take the risk, but what the complaint is and if it is really bad, we don’t know. We have to wait.”

United are already dealing with an injury crisis at left-back, where Diogo Dalot deputised against Forest on Saturday. Luke Shaw recently joined Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines, while summer signing Mason Mount won’t play again before September’s international break.

Rasmus Hojlund has returned to training but wasn’t included in the matchday squad at the weekend, which left Anthony Martial to fill the void to minimal effect. However, it is hoped the Danish striker could make his debut in United’s next outing at Arsenal next week before the international break.