Erik ten Hag has provided an – albeit brief – update on the futures of centre-back duo Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.
Both Manchester United players are out of contract at the end of the current season and now that we’re in the second half of the campaign, questions will continue to be asked on the club’s plans for their potential free agents.
There was a one-year extension option included in Varane’s terms but reports have suggested that United are unwilling to activate it, which is largely down to his eye-watering £340,000-a-week wages – an element of the club’s structure that INEOS will undoubtedly be looking to clamp down on when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stake is ratified.
The 30-year-old had fallen slightly out of favour at the beginning of the term until Lisandro Martinez suffered a re-aggravation of his metatarsal fracture, keeping him out of action for around four months. A resurgent Harry Maguire then also sustained a groin complaint, leading to Varane and Evans forming an unlikely partnership for several matches.
Evans has featured more than he’d have initially expected
Evans, 36, was acquired last summer after his release from Leicester City, returning to his former club after eight years. He has since made 10 Premier League starts and 19 appearances in all competitions.
When asked today if he wanted to keep the two experienced Reds beyond this season. Ten Hag responded (via ManUtd.com): “We haven’t made that decision yet.”
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