Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shared a disappointing injury update on Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.
The defensive duo sustained injuries in the 4-3 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Thursday.
Varane was substituted at half-time as he hobbled with an apparent groin injury.
Evans replaced the former France international after the break, but he was taken off after spending just 21 minutes on the pitch.
Ten Hag was quizzed on the potential return date of the defensive duo after United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
He said (via Mark Critchley of The Athletic): “I don’t think at short notice they will return.”
The Red Devils also confirmed last week that Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof will be out of action for at least a month.
Man United’s injury woes deepen in defence
United have underperformed this season after an exciting debut campaign under Ten Hag.
The Dutchman must improve his in-game management and tactics. His coaching can also be questioned.
Due to an unprecedented injury crisis, Ten Hag has been forced to deploy 27 different shapes in the backline.
However, there is no doubt that injuries have piled more misery on the manager.
Harry Maguire and Willy Kambwala started in the heart of the defence against Liverpool. Diogo Dalot was the right back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the opposite flank.
Martinez has been injured for much of the season. Varane, Lindelof and Evans have also missed plenty of action.
This has left Ten Hag with only one senior centre-back – Maguire.
United have four more games to play this month, including the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City.
The former Ajax manager would hope to have more options at the back. However, the recent injury update on Varane and Evans does not sound good.
Maguire and Kambwala will be regulars in the starting line-up, and an injury to either of them could force Ten Hag to use Casemiro or Sofyan Amrabat in defence.