Manchester United have confirmed that defender Raphaël Varane will miss the Red Devil’s away game against Arsenal this Sunday as the Frenchman is now set to be out for “a few weeks”.
The veteran centre-back is a key part of Erik ten Hag‘s first-choice defensive partnership and even scored the winner in the narrow 1-0 victory over Wolves on the opening day of the season, however, it’s no secret that he’s had his injury problems since joining the club.
Having been in and out of the squad on numerous occasions in his two years at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old made the decision to retire from international football to focus on his fitness and hopefully prolong his career, but it hasn’t stopped him from picking up yet another injury.
As stated by the club in an update on Wednesday, 30 August, Varane picked up another problem in their win against Nottingham Forest at the weekend and was ultimately subbed at half-time before they completed the thrilling 3-2 comeback, and he will now drop out of the side ahead of a crucial game against a historic rival.
ℹ️ Our defender is ruled out of Sunday's trip to the capital.#MUFC || #PL
As the message goes on to detail, the World Cup winner and four-time European champion was hooked off after 45 minutes “due to the complaint” and while the full extent of the injury has not been detailed, it is “expected to keep him out for a few weeks.”
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This means that Varane will now likely miss most if not all of September and subsequently be unavailable for the Premier League games against Brighton at Old Trafford, Burnley away, and potentially Crystal Palace at home.
Worse still for Man United fans, Varane is just the latest in what appears to be a growing list of injured players which includes, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Tom Heaton, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, and more recently Luke Shaw — several of which are said to be out for extended periods.
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One upshot is that they should finally get to see their new striker in action, Rasmus Højlund this weekend, as the previously unfit forward is set to make his debut at the Emirates.
Moreover, his injury will also likely put to bed any further rumblings that out-of-favour number five, Harry Maguire, will be departing the club as he and Victor Lindelöf will be needed to cover Varane’s position and any further defensive setbacks should they arise.
With the summer transfer window shutting this Friday, 1 September, it’s still possible that United could recruit another back-up defender and have already been linked with signing Chelsea fullback, Marc Cucurella, on loan to fill in for Shaw and Malacia.
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A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
30th August 2023 
