Manchester United duo to miss Carabao Cup clash against Burnley next week - Reports

Manchester United duo Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will be unavailable for the side's Carabao Cup clash with Burnley on December 21.

The defensive duo are heading into the closing days of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Martinez's Argentina advancing to the final on December 18. Meanwhile, Varane's France will play a semifinal against Morocco tonight (December 14).

According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst, both Martinez and Varane are ruled out of the cup tie with Burnley at Old Trafford. They might also miss the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest six days later.

Martinez, 24, has been a huge hit since joining Manchester United from Ajax in the summer for £48.3 million. The Argentine has made 21 appearances across competitions, keeping nine clean sheets. Meanwhile, Varane, 29, has made 11 appearances, keeping five clean sheets. The duo have forged a formidable partnership under Erik ten Hag.

However, the door is now open for Harry Maguire to try and stake his claim as a starter for the Red Devils. The Manchester United captain endured a difficult start to the season, making nine appearances and helping keep four clean sheets.

He has fallen down the pecking order, as Varane and Martinez have been preferred. The former Leicester City defender, though, enjoyed a superb FIFA World Cup campaign with England.

Maguire made five appearances, made an assist, and helped keep three clean sheets as the Three Lions lost (2-1) to holders France in the last eight.

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Manchester United's Alex Telles opts against surgery

Telles suffered a devastating injury.

Telles joined Sevilla on a season-long loan from Manchester United this season and impressed at the Rampn Sánchez Pizjuan Stadium before the World Cup break.

He made 19 appearances, contributing three assists, and was selected by Tite for the Selecao's 26-man squad that headed to Qatar. However, Telles suffered a partial rupture grade 2-3 of the internal lateral ligament of the right knee in Brazil's shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the group game.

According to Diario de Sevilla, Telles has started work to be ready to play again in February. Brazil national team doctors initially assessed that the left-back's injury would require surgery. However, Telles and Sevilla's doctors are opting for more conservative treatment in the hopes of a quick return to action.

It remains to be seen whether the former FC Porto defender will remain with Sevilla beyond this season. If he heads back to United at the end of the season, he will have difficulty breaking into the side, considering the form of Luke Shaw and new signing Tyrell Malacia.