Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag provides concerning Jonny Evans & Raphael Varane injury update as he hails deputy Willy Kambwala

Both Evans and Varane returned to fitness last week and were cleared to play the midweek clash against Chelsea, however, both the centre-backs had to be substituted off as they felt their specific injuries flair up in the wild 4-3 loss at Stamford Bridge. As such, they joined Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw as absentees for the clash against Liverpool. In stepped 19-year-old Kambwala, who provided a very solid performance as Man United held the league title challengers to a 2-2 draw.

Speaking to the media, Ten Hag said [via The Athletic]: "I don't think, at this short notice, they will return."

On bringing Kambwala into the side: "The decision to bring Willy in is because he has been a long time training with us and, in his first game against West Ham United, he also did very well, his progress is amazing.

"We were convinced he could do the job and he has done brilliantly. I am very pleased, very happy and it is another signal and message of the future of Manchester United.

"This team, the squad has high potential and if we get more players available, especially in the backline, where we have 27 different organisations, across the season, then the future will be very good."

Man Utd have suffered an unnatural number of injuries this season, especially in defence. While the reason is not certain, it has been reported earlier that a certain section of players believe Ten Hag's rigorous training regimen could be one of the reasons for the number of injuries. They also missed out on midfielder Scott McTominay's services after the Scotland international was declared unfit, marking the 56th separate case of injury or illness in the Man Utd squad as per Samuel Luckhurst.

With most of his defence unlikely to return in time, Ten Hag may place Kambwala in defence yet again when the Red Devils take on Bournemouth on Saturday, April 13.