Man United boss Erik Ten Hag is hopeful that star defender Raphael Varane will have recovered from injury by the time his side takes on city-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 3 June.

Varane, 29, has missed United’s last three matches with a foot injury but it is thought the fact that the match comes three weeks later comparatively than last season’s FA Cup final, due to this season’s winter World Cup extending the domestic season longer than usual, means the Frenchman may be able to recover in time for the match after his season was initially thought to be over.

Erik Ten Hag hopeful Raphael Varane will return for FA Cup final

Speaking to talkSPORT after their FA Cup semi-final win on Sunday, Ten Hag, when asked about the possibility of Varane being available in June, said: “I think so, Yeah. Varane, for the cup final, he can return.”

In Varane’s absence, Swede Victor Lindelof and regular left-back Luke Shaw filled in commendably for United in their semi-final penalty shootout success against Brighton and Hove Albion.

United, who were also missing Argentinian Lisandro Martinez and club captain Harry Maguire, scored all seven of their spot kicks in a 7-6 win, with Lindelof sidefooting the deciding penalty accurately into the top corner.