Erik ten Hag offers update on Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane

Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the Manchester United squad for Thursday’s Europa League clash against FC Sheriff.

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Ronaldo was dropped for Saturday’s clash against Chelsea after refusing to come off the bench midweek against Tottenham – leaving the dugout and heading down the tunnel before full-time.

But after a brief exile, the 37-year-old was back in training this week and is contention to start at Old Trafford tomorrow.

‘Cristiano will be in the squad tomorrow,’ Erik ten Hag told a press conference on Thursday.

‘It’s not difficult [Ronaldo situation]. We said everything, answered all the questions. He was out for one game and now back in.

‘We have an important game tomorrow, we want to top the group.’

Ten Hag meanwhile has confirmed Raphael Varane will not feature in United’s run of fixtures leading up to the World Cup.

The former Real Madrid star picked up an injury in the second-half of the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge and fought back tears as he walked off the pitch after refusing a stretcher.

While the defender appeared to fear the worst initially, reports from France earlier this week suggested Varane is facing three weeks on the sidelines – keeping alive his hopes of competing in this winter’s World Cup with Les Blues.

Speaking on his defender, ten Hag he will miss United’s run of six fixtures before the World Cup break.

And while the club’s medical staff are still monitoring the injury, the United boss is hopeful he will bit fit to play his part in France’s campaign in Qatar.

‘Rapha Varane isn’t [in the squad]. He will be out until the World Cup,’ ten Had said, before adding on his World Cup chances: ‘I think so, but the prognosis is we have to see how it develops.’

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek meanwhile are in contention to feature in United’s penultimate Europa League group game.

‘They are in training. Harry, Donny, Aaron all training in preparation for tomorrow,’ ten Hag said. ‘After training I will make a decision.’

Anthony Martial meanwhile remains unavailable after his latest injury setback.

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