Manchester United defenders, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez could make their return to United team for the game against Wolves at Molineux, according to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News.
Both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez could play in the Wolves game on New Year's Eve. [@samuelluckhurst] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 19, 2022
With the majority of the United players to report back to Carrington tomorrow, Varane and Martinez will get a week off after their World Cup exploits, which saw both players reach the World Cup final with France and Argentina respectively.
Varane started and played 113 minutes in what was a scintillating World Cup final [Transfermarkt] that ended up with Argentina winning on penalties after the teams could not be separated at the end of extra-time, with the score 3-3.
Martinez did not feature at all during the game and had to watch the topsy turvy finale from the substitute bench, but from his perspective it was worth it in the end as he and his team mates became World Champions at the Lusail Stadium.
Morning. pic.twitter.com/M4a9SIzekj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 19, 2022
As Varane and Martinez reached the World Cup final, it practically makes them unavailable for the game against Nottingham Forest on 27th December as the centre back duo will not have enough preparation time with the team to be in contention for the game and because of their week break, that United grant to all of their World Cup players, it means that they will definitely be out for the Burnley game on Wednesday, which makes total sense.
However, despite there being a chance they might not feature in the game against Forest, they could return for the game against Wolves on New Year’s Eve.
The Manchester Evening News journalist also reported that the United players who were eliminated at the World Cup quarter-final stage are due back at Carrington tomorrow as Erik ten Hag has given his players Monday off and that only those players recovering from their injuries were at the training ground, reports Luckhurst for the MEN.
