Manchester United's Raphael Varane issues injury update with World Cup hopes in balance

Raphael Varane has provided an update on his injury ahead of Manchester United's match against West Ham on Sunday.

Varane sustained an injury against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week and he looked visibly upset when being forced off the pitch, with the 2022 Qatar World Cup perhaps in the back of his mind, where he wants to play with his nation France.

Erik ten Hag was recently asked about Varane's injury and he said: "He will be out, certainly until the World Cup so he will not play in this block for Manchester United. I think [he can play at the World Cup] but the prognosis we have to wait."

Although Varane could return for France at the World Cup, he is unavailable for United and is currently in rehabilitation. Varane provided an update on his injury on Sunday morning with pictures of him recovering at France's Clairefontaine.

Varane wrote: "Thank you everyone for the kind messages this week. I have been working! Feeling good. Good luck today boys."

The French Football Federation opened Clairefontaine, which is where Varane is currently in rehabilitation, in 1988 and it has since become of the best-known football academies in the world, with world-class and state-of-the-art facilities. While Varane's initial reaction in leaving the field in tears against Chelsea suggested he may have thought the worst following the injury, his latest update could provide encouraging news for his World Cup bid.

The defender was seen cycling and lifting weights, while also taking part in a recovery pool session. The World Cup starts on Sunday November 20 and France play Australia in their opening game on November 22.