After Manchester United's narrow 3-2 win over Norwich, the next round of the Premier League will be away to Anfield vs Liverpool. In Tuesday's double reds, interim manager Ralph Ronnick hopes French centre-back Varane will make a comeback.
Varane has missed two games with injury, including a loss to Everton in the last round and Saturday's home game against Norwich, who was one of five players to confirm his absence early. However, Varane may be the earliest to return than Luke Shaw's season reimbursement, Cavani's long-term injury absence, and fred and McTomine's injuries.
Lonnick is pinning his hopes on Varane's return on Tuesday against rivals Liverpool, who are currently very strong and United's defence will face serious challenges. If the French Iron Guard can't catch up with the double red, it may return on Saturday morning when they play Arsenal away. In contrast, Luke Shaw, Fred, McTomine and Cavani are adamantly unable to compete in both races.
Lonnick said: "I think the most likely comeback is Rafael (Varane), who has the hope of playing at least one of the next two games, against Liverpool or Arsenal. As for the other injured, I don't think they'll be back in the next few days."
After joining Manchester United for £42 million this season, Varane has suffered from various injury problems and has missed 16 of his 43 games this season, which means that the absence rate is more than 33%. Since October last year, the French Iron Guard has been injured three times, missing three games, one month and two games respectively.
With only six final rounds left in the Premier League, while United are only three points behind Conte's Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils must also ensure they score points in their own tough schedules. If Chelsea knock out Crystal Palace on Sunday to reach the FA Cup final, United will face Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in April with a treacherous schedule.
Even if United win Liverpool this week, they will not be able to return to the top four of the Premier League table for the time being, because Spurs are too far ahead in goal difference, with United currently having 8 goals on goal difference and Tottenham hotspur scoring 18 goals. Naturally, no one expects the Red Devils to beat Liverpool by 10 goals, but if they can beat Liverpool, Manchester United will be morale boosted, and it will only be a matter of time before Tottenham Hotspur.
However, beating Liverpool is no easy feat, with Klopp's side beating Manchester City 3-2 in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend and are on their way to their magical goal of four titles. For Manchester United, the double red club with Liverpool has a double significance, in addition to the team's Premier League competition, it can also strive to prevent the death of the opponent from impacting the Premier League championship.
To win the Double Reds, Lonnick must improve his team's defensive skills. Facing Norwich, who had only scored 20 goals in the previous 32 games, Manchester United was equalized by two goals in a row, and even almost overtaken. If the defensive play against Norwich is repeated, then in the face of Salah, Mane and other Liverpool attackers, Manchester United may not be able to retreat. If Varane can return in time, it will be of significant help to stabilize the Red Devils' defense.
In the first leg of the season, United suffered a 5-0 defeat at home, and if it were not for Pogba's flying shovel Nabi Keita to frighten opponents, I am afraid that they would have lost more. Manchester United can not always hope that Ronaldo and De Gea will be hanging, the team needs to first stabilize the defense, and then strive to improve the ability to grasp the opportunity in the front court, in order to have the opportunity to beat Liverpool and end the opponent's unbeaten record.