Why Raphael Varane missed Man Utd's Premier League clash with West Ham
- Raphael Varane absent from Man Utd's squad for the trip to West Ham
- 19-year-old debutant Willy Kambwala filled in for his compatriot
- Erik ten Hag's squad remains decimated by injuries and absences
Manchester United's long list of defensive absentees was added to this Saturday, with centre-back Raphael Varane the latest to miss out for the Red Devils.
The Frenchman has been on the fringes of the first team this season but injuries to Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez saw him make an increasingly rare start against Liverpool last weekend.
The former Real Madrid man performed well, marshalling Man Utd's backline to a clean sheet at Anfield. It was expected, therefore, that Varane would retain his place when Erik ten Hag's side travelled to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday, but that wasn't the case.
Varane missed out on the squad entirely but, fortunately for Man Utd, it's illness and not injury that kept him out of action. Ten Hag confirmed prior to kick-off against the Hammers on Saturday lunchtime that the 30-year-old was absent due to sickness.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have also missed games recently for the Red Devils through illness - the latter still absent - with bugs seemingly rife in every Premier League squad this winter.
With Man Utd's centre-back options dwindling, veteran Jonny Evans partnered 19-year-old Willy Kambwala for the youngster's Red Devils debut against West Ham. The French centre-back is 16 years younger than Evans and was thrust into the limelight at the London Stadium for the crushing 2-0 defeat.
Speaking about Kambwala, Ten Hag said: "He’s calm, he made a good impression in training, but of course he’s inexperienced and it’s a big moment for him. He’s athletic, calm on the ball and now he has his opportunity."
The Red Devils were also without the suspended Diogo Dalot and injured Tyrell Malacia in defence, while none of Maguire, Martinez and Lindelof even returned to the bench for game..
Man Utd's midfield is also struggling with injuries - Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Casemiro are all absent. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is still out of the first-team picture for disciplinary reasons.
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