Manchester United have little time to turn their season around. A disappointing Champions League campaign saw the Red Devils finish last in their group behind Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Copenhagen. Manager Erik ten Hag has been making tough decisions on which players start and those who remains on the bench. Samuel Luckhurst reports that some of those choices have not pleased one of the club’s veteran players.
Raphael Varane Feels That Manchester United Do Not Want Him
Player Feels He’s Been Pushed Out
The Englishman stated in an article for The Manchester Evening News that 30-year-old defender Raphael Varane “feels he is being pushed out” by United. Injuries have limited the Frenchman’s playing time in England. Late contract takjs have been taking place at Old Trafford, but the former Real Madrid player was not gifted an extra year in Manchester.
The Red Devil’s decision not to pick up Varane’s one-year contract extension is only one factor in the defender’s attitude. Luckhurst noted that the veteran “is also believed to be unimpressed by the lack of stability at United this season.” Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25% stake in the Manchester outfit has brought a season of dramatic change to Old Trafford.
The veteran was a regular in Ten Hag’s starting lineup last season. When he was on the pitch, the backline performed well. However, the Frenchman’s time in England has not been without its troubles. Injuries and sickness have kept the 30-year-old on the sideline “for 38 United games out of a possible 138.”
Varane’s Impressive Career
A World Cup victory and four Champions League titles are just a handful of the awards Varane has earned in his travels. It only took one year with Lens for Madrid to sign him, after which United would bring him to England following a successful 10-year stint in Spain. His pedigree and performances have seen some label him as a “monster of a defender“
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