Varane, Konate Miss World Cup Training for Virus-Hit France 

France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
TT

Varane, Konate Miss World Cup Training for Virus-Hit France 

France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Raphael Varane warms up ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022. (AFP)

Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté were among five France players who missed training on Friday, two days before the World Cup final against Argentina. 

The two center backs have reportedly become the latest members of the France squad to be affected by a virus, according to French media. 

Three other players — Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot and Kingsley Coman — were struck down by illness at the start of the week and had to isolate. 

Upamecano and Rabiot were back in training Friday, but Coman was still missing. Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni were also absent, French sports daily L'Equipe reported. 

France winger Ousmane Dembele said he and his teammates were not worried about key players becoming sick ahead of Sunday's final. 

“No, we are not,” Dembele said. “We are not afraid of the virus. Dayot and Adrien had a headache, a little stomach ache. 

“I made them a little tea with ginger and honey and they were better,” Dembele added, laughing. 

France forward Randal Kuolo Mani said medical staff had set up sanitary zones and players were being extra careful. 

“Those who are sick stay in their room,” Kuolo Mani said. “The doctors take good care of them, and we wash our hands. There is gel for everyone before going to the table … we shake hands with our fists. So I think we’re very, very strict on it.” 

France coach Didier Deschamps has said his players’ immune system “might be a little run down” because of the intensity of the tournament. He also noted the “use of air conditioners may also affect” how the virus is circulating. 



Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
TT

Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he is taking it a day at a time after a 2-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, as he tries to turn around the club's fortunes.

United, who have now lost four of their last five Premier League games, are 14th in the standings on 22 points from 18 matches, 11 behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

"We have to work on a lot of things in our club, inside the pitch and outside of the pitch, in each game and use every minute of training and game to improve," Amorim said, adding he had "no idea" how long it would take to turn things around.

"I have to just take it day by day, try and see the videos, using every minute of training to try and (help) us win some points," he told reporters.

Asked for his view on his players after a month in charge, Amorim said: "They need time to change as they are changing completely and the way of playing is hard on them and it is also hard on the staff as well to pass all the information on.

"Then when you do not get the results that is even harder. We have to believe and we have to continue. It is a tough moment and we have to focus on the next game."

United host Newcastle United on Monday, before travelling to take on Liverpool on Jan. 5.