According to a report from Mirror, Tim Sherwood has asserted that Raphael Varane “has not made a significant impact” during his two-year tenure at Manchester United after his move from Real Madrid.
“For me, Varane (gets) away with it,” said Sherwood when speaking to the Premier League Productions. “He has not done anything since he’s been at that football club. We talk about (Bukayo) Saka when people say, ‘Consecutive games, he needs a rest, he needs a rest’. This boy (Varane) is in, he’s out, he’s injured again. I think there’s no durability there. What’s he done for Manchester United?”
Varane’s Current Season At Manchester United
The former Real Madrid defender is struggling to be consistent for the Red Devils as he has missed three games in the Premier League owing to injury concerns. The 30-year-old has made seven appearances so far this season, finding the back of the net on one occasion, across all competitions.
The France international has failed to be a strong presence in the backline after only averaging 1.0 tackles, 0.2 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game in the English first division. However, he has been accurate while distributing the ball from the back after completing 92.1% of his attempted passes in the English top flight (stats via whoscored).
Varane’s current deal at Old Trafford is set to run until the summer of 2025. As a result, Erik ten Hag might contemplate the possibility of offloading him next summer, with the intention of securing a substantial transfer fee in return.
Is It Time For Ten Hag To Seek A Replacement In January?
Manchester United’s defense has been a topic of discussion in recent seasons, and the spotlight now falls on Raphael Varane. The highly-touted defender, who arrived from Real Madrid two years ago with much fanfare, has been under scrutiny for his performances at Old Trafford.
It’s essential to acknowledge that Varane arrived at Old Trafford with a stellar reputation, having won numerous trophies with Real Madrid, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles. The anticipation surrounding his signing was palpable, with fans hopeful that he would provide the stability and class that the United defence had been missing.
However, one of the pressing concerns surrounding Varane’s tenure at Man United is his injury record. He has struggled with fitness issues, which have led to a disrupted run of appearances. The consistency that United fans were hoping for has been elusive, and it leaves the team vulnerable in defence.
Varane’s contract extends until the summer of 2025, which means that he still has a significant amount of time left at Old Trafford. However, with the unpredictability of injuries and the need for a reliable and consistent central defender, it’s worth considering whether it’s time to assess other options.
