Man Utd’s Raphael Varane pulls out of starting XI as Pogba and Rashford absence explained

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has pulled out of Tuesday’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Frenchman was named in the hosts’ starting line-up for the Premier League clash but was taken ill during the warm-up.

Ralf Rangnick named Varane in his team ahead of looking to return to winning ways against Graham Potter’s side at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old was primed to start alongside Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw in an unchanged defence from Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Southampton.

But after announcing the team news, United revealed Varane had been replaced in the team by Victor Lindelof through illness.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton replaced him in the matchday squad in an unwelcome blow before the test against the Seagulls.

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Rangnick made two changes to his team from the Southampton stalemate, with Fred and Anthony Elanga replacing Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.

The German coach explained his decision to drop Pogba and Rashford to the bench ahead of kick-off.

He said: “It’s a bit about fresh legs after both Paul and Marcus played in the last couple of games. Paul is coming back from a long-term injury. That was the idea behind that.

“It’s important to show our nice face, our beautiful face, it’s a bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, today we have to show for the whole game our beautiful face, the nice side of what we did for the last three games.”

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