Erik ten Hag would prefer to keep Raphael Varane at Man United, rather than selling him to Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United’s squad is low on confidence right now. The Red Devils are struggling for both form and morale.
Perhaps no player epitomises it more than Raphael Varane. The Frenchman is a four-time Champions League winner, who cannot break into the side ahead of Jonny Evans right now. His second-half display against Copenhagen proves why he’s being benched. He was poor.
Talk of Saudi interest in the World Cup winner has been well-documented over the last fortnight. It makes sense at this stage of his career. Particularly with his injuries mounting up.
However, Football Insider have provided an update on that front. They believe that Erik ten Hag is ‘keen to keep’ the 30-year-old at United, amid that interest from Saudi.
A ‘well-placed source’ has stated that Ten Hag still views Varane as a regular starter, with his form seemingly just a blip rather than a permanent issue.
Varane looked excellent alongside both Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof last season, though the treatment table woes have always been an issue for the ex-Real Madrid man.
I’m still firmly of the belief that he forms half of our best centre-back pairing, alongside the currently-injured Martinez.
I understand that Rapha is on a huge amount of money. Probably more than he deserves at this stage in his career, but we need winners like him in and around the squad. It’s also why I still believe Casemiro needs to stay. That mentality can rub off on the rest of the squad.
Hopefully, this poor run of form is nothing but a blip and he’s back to his elite best soon.
Do you think Raphael Varane can rediscover his best form? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
