Manchester United have suffered a big injury blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City over the weekend after star defender Raphael Varane was ruled out of action for several weeks.

What's the word?

The 28-year-old picked up a groin problem during France's Nations League final victory over Spain on Sunday and had to be replaced by Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano just before half-time.

United have since confirmed the severity of Varane's injury, revealing the World Cup-winning centre-back is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

"Raphael Varane sustained a groin muscle injury in the UEFA Nations League final and has commenced rehabilitation at the club. He will be out for a few weeks," the statement reads.

It means the former Real Madrid gem will be unavailable for United's trip to the King Power Stadium, as well as potentially missing clashes against Atalanta, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Solskjaer will be absolutely gutted

Varane has made seven appearances in all competitions for the 20-time English champions since arriving from Real Madrid over the summer, starting in each of their last five Premier League encounters.

Therefore, his enforced absence will come as a bitter blow to United, who will be aiming to end their two-game winless run in the top-flight against the Foxes.

With club captain Harry Maguire also a potential absentee after missing United’s 1-1 draw with Everton last time out and all of England’s fixtures during the current international break, Solskjaer may have to field a defensive partnership of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

That could be a recipe for disaster with United facing off against the Premier League's joint-top scorer in Jamie Vardy at the weekend.

The Frenchman was a marquee addition over the summer months and to lose him to injury so early into his stay at Old Trafford is simply gutting news for the manager.

And, in other news...5 shots on target, 2 key passes: Man Utd monster stars on the international stage