JUST IN|| Erik Ten Hag announced date to welcome £130m World Cup pair to Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag’s first-choice centre-half pairing reached Sunday’s draining World Cup final on opposing sides with Martinez’s Argentina seeing off France on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw.

Varane, who has struggled with the sickness bug that affected a number of France players in the final days before the game, lasted until the 113th minute, falling over in exhaustion after chasing down a lose ball before being replaced by Ibrahima Konate.

Martinez meanwhile was an unused substitute but did make five appearances throughout the competition.

United have typically awarded each of their World Cup stars a week off, with the Daily Telegraph reporting Martinez and Varane are set to miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Burnley and the visit of Forest the day after Boxing Day.

United take on Wolves at Molineux on New Year’s Eve where the pair could be in contention again.

The club’s England contingent – Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford – are expected back in training this week with Antony, who was also eliminated at the quarter-final stage with Brazil, pictured back at United’s Carrington training base on Monday.

David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho were among the senior players not involved in the World Cup.

Christian Eriksen was among the first to return following Denmark’s elimination at the group stage while Tyrell Malacia could be in contention for an early return to the side having not played a minute of Netherlands’ campaign in Qatar.

Erik ten Hag is also likely to turn to the club’s academy stars to bolster his squad for Wednesday’s visit of Burnley.

United’s Under-21s were in action against PSV Eindhoven on Monday night with Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage, and Charlie McNeill all missing out.

The trio could be involved against Vincent Kompany’s side having also featured in the club’s friendly matches in Spain.