Ralf Rangnick has provided an explanation as to why Raphael Varane was forced to miss Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
The France international was originally named in the starting line-up for the game at Old Trafford and was set to partner captain Harry Maguire in central defence for the fifth consecutive match.
However, around 40 minutes before the 20:15 GMT kick-off, it was announced that Varane was ill, with Victor Lindelof taking his position in the XI and Tom Heaton promoted to the substitutes’ bench.
No further reasoning was provided prior to the beginning of the game, but after United had secured the three points thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, the interim manager provided an update on our no.19’s condition.
“On the way from the hotel, after dinner and the team meeting, he had stomach problems,” Rangnick told the BBC.