Manchester United's French defender Raphael Varane (C) is consoled by Manchester United's Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez (L) and Manchester United's Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot (2nd R) as he leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on October 22, 2022.(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Manchester United's French defender Raphael Varane (C) is consoled by Manchester United's Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez (L) and Manchester United's Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot (2nd R) as he leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on October 22, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

3 Manchester United starters to miss Arsenal clash

Sep 1, 2023

Raphael Varane is set to miss Manchester United’s game against Arsenal at the weekend, having been ruled out for a few weeks with an injury.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 22: Martin Odegaard #8 of Arsenal shakes hands with Lisandro Martinez #6 and Raphael Varane #19 of Manchester United during a pre-season friendly match at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) — EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: Martin Odegaard #8 of Arsenal shakes hands with Lisandro Martinez #6 and Raphael Varane #19 of Manchester United during a pre-season friendly match at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Manchester United are set to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but they’ll be without a few players through injury.

The latest to be ruled out is Raphael Varane, with Sky Sports News reporting that the defender will be out for a few weeks and will definitely miss the match against Arsenal.

United will also be without Luke Shaw, who recently suffered a muscular injury and will be sidelined for an extended period. Assessments are ongoing to determine whether the left-back will miss weeks or months.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Mason Mount of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND: Mason Mount of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The other expected key absentee is summer signing Mason Mount, who will reportedly be out until after the international break at least.

But one major positive for United is that one of their other summer signings might finally be able to join their squad on Sunday.

Rasmus Hojlund is yet to feature for United since joining the club, but he finally linked up with their squad for training last Friday, and he could well be ready to make the bench this weekend.

Manchester United's Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund reacts as he is introduced prior to the pre-season friendly football match between Manchester United and Lens at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images) — Manchester United’s Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund reacts as he is introduced prior to the pre-season friendly football match between Manchester United and Lens at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Other minor absentees for United include Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Traore, and Tom Heaton.

With Shaw injured, Malacia might have featured against Arsenal if he’d been fit, but United appear to be trying to fill the gap at left-back with the signing of Marc Cucurella anyway. The other three were never likely to be involved at the Emirates.