When it rains, it pours. As Manchester United's much-maligned manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued to look like a deer in the headlights during Tuesday's chaotic Champions League draw at Atalanta, helplessly watching his expensively assembled footballers scurry around like headless chickens, more dreadful news arrived on Wednesday. 

The Premier League giants confirmed that Raphael Varane, who has only just returned after recovering from a groin injury picked up while playing for France, suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for at least a month.  

The World Cup-winning defender, who has been among United's best performers since completing his move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid this summer, could miss up to five games and will not be available to face City in the eagerly awaited Manchester derby on Saturday.

Varane's absence could pose a serious question for Solskjær, who is struggling to solve the Red Devil's deep-seated defensive crisis, especially after captain Harry Maguire's massive dip in form.

According to football statistics provider Opta, Solskjaer's side have recorded the fewest successful tackles in the league so far. To make matters worse, United have also committed the most errors leading to shots from any of their opponents, which has led to them conceding a total of 15 goals this season. 

Despite brilliant displays from their Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea, who has been rejuvenated since returning to the starting line-up, United have kept just two clean sheets in their last 23 matches.  

"We've conceded far too many goals and I take a big responsibility for that," Maguire admitted to Sky Sports after their humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool last month. "I take responsibility for my own performance but also the defensive performance as well.  

"I'm the captain, I've been a mainstay in the defense for over two years. We've had some good runs but at the minute we're not defending well enough. My performances haven't been good enough and I'm looking to get back to the form I've shown prior to the injury in the last two seasons."  

The 28-year-old Maguire is Solskjaer's most trusted signing and has never been dropped since he joined United in August 2019. As Varane is set for another spell on the sideline and Solskjaer switched to a three-man defense in his team's last two outings, Maguire will have to return to his best as soon as possible if United are to cling to the hope that they could mount a title challenge. 

This will be a test of Solskjaer's management. The Norwegian tactician can't rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to repeat his incredible heroics every time United are in trouble. Right now, they are in a curious spell in which danger seems to be lurking around every corner. If the bad streak continues, Solskjær's days are surely numbered.

Manchester United's next five fixtures 

November 6: Manchester City (Home)  

November 20: Watford (Away)  

November 23: Villarreal (Away)  

November 28: Chelsea (Away) 

December 2: Arsenal (Home)