Will Raphael Varane play against Nottingham Forest?

World Cup heartbreak ensued for Manchester United defender Raphael Varane over the break as France came ever so close to holding onto their crown.

A Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in a bonkers final against Argentina wasn't enough for Les Bleus as Lionel Messi claimed the prize his career deserves in Qatar following a penalty shootout victory over the French.

Varane was once again a prominent member of the France side that reached the final as he started every single knockout game. France's journey to the tournament's epilogue delayed the defender's return to Manchester and he wasn't available for the Red Devils' Carabao Cup victory over Burnley last week.

Will the French international make his return against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening?

Has Raphael Varane returned to Manchester United yet?

Erik ten Hag spoke to the media on Friday about his World Cup stars and the Dutchman confirmed that neither Varane nor Lisandro Martinez had returned to the club.

''Rapha Varane and Licha Martinez, they are not there [back at United] but we hope on their comeback [soon]," he said.

Is Raphael Varane injured?

Varane missed United's last six games before the World Cup break after picking up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 22 October.

The injury thrust his World Cup into doubt, but the defender was named in Didier Deschamps' 26-man squad and he went on to start all but one of France's seven games in Qatar.

Varane seemed to limp off during the latter stages of extra time in the final, but United supporters have already been reassured that the defender was merely struggling with fatigue.

Will Raphael Varane play against Nottingham Forest?

While the last update provided from Ten Hag regarding Varane was on Friday, it's incredibly unlikely that the defender will suit up for the Red Devils against Nottingham Forest.

There are no reports suggesting the Frenchman has even returned to Manchester yet.