Raphael Varane had to come off the bench but put in a shaky performance, perhaps proving why Harry Maguire and Evans have been Erik ten Hag’s preferred pairing in the middle.

It has been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes of the Frenchman who was one of the first names on the teamsheet last season.

Consistent injuries have relegated him to a rotation role and amid murmurs of discontent and interest from Saudi Pro League, the writing looked to be on the wall for the World Cup winner.

However, Football Insider reports that Ten Hag is keen to keep Varane in his ranks due to the defensive crisis at the club.

As things stand, Varane and Maguire are the only senior options available to the manager ahead of the Luton Town game at Old Trafford.

The scenario is not expected to change anytime soon, with only Victor Lindelof presumably returning in the near future. Evans and Lisandro Martinez look to be long-term absentees.

With FA Cup starting, and the prospect of an extended campaign in the Europa League also looking realistic after the loss to Copenhagen, Ten Hag has made the call to keep the players he has for now.

Varane has been targeted by Saudi Pro League, particularly by Al-Nassr, who hope to reunite him with Cristiano Ronaldo.

While the player rebuffed the interest in the summer with an emphatic Instagram post, there has been increasing mutual interest since then due to his condition at United.

However, with Ten Hag short of options, Varane is set to be handed a long run in the team by default.

If he remains fit and performs well, he can give Ten Hag the right kind of headache, something which Harry Maguire has done by taking the chance he was given with both hands and running with it.

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Peter O’Rourke (footballinsider247.com) reveals the “interest” from Saudi Arabia will be attached with a “jaw-dropping” salary offer to the centre-half, as the Pro League looks set to continue its aggressive expansion policy.

A wide range of top players, or, more accurately, big names, have relocated to Saudi Arabia over the past two seasons.

The country is seeking to establish its domestic league as one of the major competitions in the world, with the ability to match its European rivals. As such, Varane fits the mould of the player the Saudi Pro League is trying to lure to its shores.

O’Rourke confirms this, starting: “The vastly successful centre-back matches the profile that the ambitious and mega-rich league are looking to add to their ranks in the Middle East.”

The most noticeable first mover in this initial wave was Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford in a furore of controversy after publicly describing manager Erik ten Hag as someone he had “no respect” for.

The former Real Madrid star could be set to be now joined by Varane; a player who, if he makes the move, will have followed the exact same career pattern as Ronaldo; Real Madrid-Manchester United-Saudi Pro League.

This is not the first time there have been reports of Saudi interest in the centre-half.

Varane was linked with a move to the Pro League in August, though the feelings were any approach would be rebuffed by the 30-year old, who was reported to wish to remain regardless of any offer from Saudi Arabia.

Four months is a long time in football, however.

United have started the season in absymal form, losing eight of their opening sixteen games. They sit eighth in the Premier League table, third in their Champions League group and are already out of the Carabao Cup. The prospect of a successful season seems unlikely now.

Furthermore, it appears Varane has even fall out of the first-choice back four at present. The Frenchman was left on the bench for the Manchester derby, with Ten Hag explaining this decision as a “tactical” one. There have been reports Varane has been suffering with illness, which may explain why he is fit enough to make the bench, but not to start outright.

Varane’s issues with injuries have also persisted this season, already being absent for a large chunk of fixtures. Ten Hag will be desperate to add a centre-half to his ranks in January, but may not have the funds to do so without a significant departure first.

It appears, therefore, that the prospect of a move – for one of Europe’s most decorated players – to the Saudi Pro League feels far more likely this window, than the last. Which is what will have put clubs in Saudi Arabia on such high alert.

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It was the latest in a series of strange decisions involving the World Cup winner that have left United fans asking what is going on, if anything, between him and manager Erik ten Hag.

In this article we review how Varane’s season has unfolded so far as we search for clues as to the reason for his persistent absences from the starting XI.

Start of season

The season began normally enough, with Varane at the heart of United’s defence alongside Lisandro Martinez in the first two matches.

The first sign of trouble game in match three against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. United had been rocked when unfancied Forest put two past them in the first ten minutes of the match. United pulled one back before Varane was substituted at half-time by Ten Hag.

Ten Hag reported Varane as having “complaints” and that “we didn’t want to risk him”, meaning an injury, but interestingly, transfermarkt.com recorded his replacement by Victor Lindelof as “tactical”.

Sky’s Kaveh Solhekol then reported that Varane could be missing for six weeks. In fact, he was then missing from the team for the next 27 days with what transfermarkt records as an “unknown injury”.

During this August period, rumours were flying that Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ittihad were trying to sign the 30 year old, but it was reported that he had turned them down flat.

Autumn interruptions

In his first game after returning from the mysterious injury, Varane came off the bench for 11 minutes as United beat Burnley 1-0. He then captained the side in their impressive EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace and was taken off after an hour, presumably to rest him.

He then played 87 minutes of the next game, a 0-1 home defeat to the same side, Palace. His performance had appeared solid.

Varane then formed part of the disastrous defence that allowed Turkish side Galatasaray to record a memorable 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

Then came another absence, in United’s loss to Brentford. Ten Hag explained that “He couldn’t make the game, he had a minor issue.

“If it was two or three days longer [between matches], he could have made it but now it was too short.”

Once again, transfermarkt.com did not record an injury, simply registering Varane as “not in the squad”.

With more time to recover due to an international break, everyone then expected the 5-times Champions League winner to return against Sheffield United on the 21st October. But again, to everyone’s surprise, he was left on the bench as Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans occupied the centre back positions.

Again, fans put this down to Ten Hag keeping him in cotton wool for the Champions League tie against Copenhagen 3 days later, when he played for 90 minutes and acquitted himself well.

Breaking point?

Next up was the Manchester derby. As in the Sheffield United game, Varane was named on the bench. But this time there could be no explanation of cotton wool.

Ten Hag said the reason was “tactics.” When pressed to offer an explanation, he said “When you face City, they will go up to press and then to play with Rapha [Varane, on the right] and Maguire over the left, that can give problems and then you end up only kicking long balls.”

“He is, for me, better on the right, Harry, especially against teams pressing high and, second, is you have to step in over that side and that was our tactic – to step in over [Julian] Alvarez and get Sofyan [Amrabat] higher to get [the] press on their build-up and that’s why.”

It seemed like an odd explanation: you drop your best centre back because you think an inferior centre back is poor on the left.

According to The Athletic, dressing room sources said there were “raised eyebrows” at the decision.

He was then omitted from the Carabao Cup squad against Newcastle. United lost both of those games 3-0.

Latest mystery

By this point the Saudi rumours were back, with Teamtalk.com claiming the player now wants a January move to the Pro League to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

“It is also said that the promises made to Varane when he signed have not been fulfilled, with Man Utd falling further behind the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal,” reporter Fraser Fletcher claims.

Ten Hag seemed to stamp out the rumours at Friday’s press conference ahead of yesterday’s match with Fulham, saying “Varane is ready to play. He will travel with the squad.”

Yet once again, the Frenchman was consigned to the bench and was brought on for just one minute of the game.

What happens next?

No United fan – nor possibly even Ten Hag, for that matter – could have imagined that the manager would be regularly benching a fit Raphael Varane in favour of a Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans partnership this season. But that is precisely what seems to have happened.

There is enough evidence to suggest that there could be an attitude problem. The “injuries” and absences seem to follow poor performances by United, which could have involved dressings down from Ten Hag. But if a poor attitude or dissent is the case, why would Varane have been made captain against Palace?

On the other hand, if there is an ongoing injury issue, why does Ten Hag not explain that to the press to end the speculation that he and Varane are at odds?

The most likely explanation is that the Frenchman does have a recurrent problem that will not allow him to play 50 games a season. He himself said at the start of the season that “there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental well-being.”

Ten Hag may be using his best judgement to pick the 20-25 games a season that he needs Varane most. As for the Manchester derby, shocking as it might sound, rather than see that as a big game, the manager might have pragmatically written it off rather than waste one of his chips.

If there is a physical weakness, if Ten Hag admitted it publicly could allow opposition teams to target it. For instance, there are certain types of tackle that are hard on the knee, or the back.

If it is an ongoing physical issue, another big question is whether it will resolve in time or whether it is something that will need to be managed for the rest of Varane’s career. If it’s the latter, then United will have to move as soon as they can to bolster the defence and start to think about life beyond Raphael Varane.

The post What is going on with Raphael Varane at Manchester United? appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

It continued the pair turning back the clock, and remaining United’s first-choice pairing.

However, it has had a domino effect on Raphael Varane who, amidst constant injury issues, is suddenly to lock his undisputed starter place again.

TeamTalk reports that Varane is being targeted by Saudi Arabian clubs with a view to making a move in January.

The Saudi interest in Varane is not new, with the nation also registering its interest in the summer.

However, at the time, the Frenchman put rest to all the rumours by publicly reaffirming his commitment to the Red Devils with an Instagram post.

Since then, the situation has developed rapidly. Or in more accurate terms, the situation has deteriorated massively for Varane at United.

The report states that there is now interest from the player’s side as well in moving to the Gulf state, with the quality of the Saudi Pro League improving massively too.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are reportedly the front-runners for his signature but there are a number of other clubs in the race too.

Varane’s agents have been in touch with prospective suitors, with there being a willingness from all sides that it might be time to draw the curtains on his tenure at Old Trafford.

Furthermore, some European clubs retain an interest in his services too, although it remains to be seen if any club can compete with Saudi’s financial might.

If the move materialises, he would follow Alex Telles to Saudi Arabia, with the report also stating that his exit could be just one of the multiple departures in the summer as Erik ten Hag tries to refresh an ailing team.

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Heading into the game, pressure was mounting on Erik ten Hag and his players to get back to winning ways after a number of poor results.

Ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal, with a defensive four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot ahead of the Cameroonian.

In midfield, Christian Eriksen started as United’s deepest-lying man with Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay alongside him in the middle of the park.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on either side. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 1 – 0 win against Fulham.

Raphael Varane’s peculiar exclusion

In yet another game, Varane was left out.

Amidst suggestions of rifts in the background and dressing room unrest, it was reported that Varane is one of the players who may be unhappy with Ten Hag.

It was relayed that the Frenchman was not amused by the manager’s decision to leave him out of the game against Manchester City in favour of Evans and Maguire due to “tactical reasons.”

Varane did not feature vs. Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. United claimed that he was ill and that was the sole reason for his absence.

Conflicting reports relayed that the World Cup winner did not train and was not satisfied with his ongoing situation with respect to lack of game time despite being fit.

It was therefore surprising when the team sheet came out for the Fulham game and Varane was on the bench again.

It’s puzzling that Ten Hag gave the nod to Maguire and Evans once more despite Varane’s presence.

On more than one occasion across the 90 minutes, Maguire had to come off for treatment but even then, Ten Hag did not opt for Varane.

Not to say that Maguire and Evans have done anything particularly wrong when they’ve started together but few will disagree that Varane offers much more and is easily the better defender when in top shape and injury-free.

Varane only came on int the dying embers of the game for Garnacho, to ensure United got over the line.

United struggling to create enough clear-cut goalscoring opportunities

A noticeable theme of the game was just how much the Red Devils struggled to fashion enough goalscoring chances.

With the exception of McTominay’s disallowed goal in the opening 45 minutes, United barely created anything for the rest of the half – something that extended into the second period.

Most of United’s chances came about through trying long-distance efforts that frankly, didn’t trouble Bernd Leno who was mostly comfortable throughout the game.

Ten Hag’s men had a lot of possession but it’s disappointing they could not do much with the ball up until Fernandes grabbed the late winner.

United had Eriksen and Fernandes on the pitch, arguably two of the Premier League’s most creative midfielders but even then, chances were far between each other.

As has usually been the case, Hojlund cut a very frustrated and lonely figure up front. The Dane did not have much to pounce on.

He was visibly angry when substituted.

During the game, the away fans could be heard chanting “attack attack attack” in an apparent effort to get the players to speed things up.

United’s forwards have struggled to put the ball into the back of the net this term and while this has been down to poor finishing, another primary reason is that they’ve not been presented with enough opportunities to score.

This is something Ten Hag will undoubtedly be keen to sort out if he is to be successful in retaining his job as manager of the 20-time English champions.

Antony extremely poor again

Antony was easily United’s poorest performer against Fulham.

The Brazilian contributed next to nothing when he was on and it was hardly a shock that he was the first to be taken just minutes after the hour mark.

It has usually been said that Ten Hag’s continued selection of Antony and his favouritism for the player is one of the players’ major gripes with the Dutchman.

Consistently this season, Antony has failed to justify his inclusion in the starting XI and already, he appears to be another player United have wasted big money on.

Even Facundo Pellistri who only played a few minutes managed to do more than Antony did. The Uruguayan registered an assist for Fernandes’ goal.

It’s telling that when the 23-year-old came off, United fans cheered in response to the change made by Ten Hag.

There's a Brazilian winger on the pitch United could/should have signed: Willian in 2018.
United fans cheered as Antony was substituted. He has been abysmal again. #mufc

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 4, 2023

If United are to be a successful team going forward, they can no longer rely on Antony – clearly a very limited and one-dimensional player not suited to playing at this level.

The post Three things we learned from Man United’s late win vs. Fulham at Craven Cottage appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Varane has been absent for several matches due to a combination of injury, illness and curiously being overlooked in favour of Maguire and Evans in the Manchester derby.

At the pre-match presser, Erik ten Hag said Varane would play, so his absence is a surprise and raises further questions as to what is going on behind the scenes.

He is named on the bench.

Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are the starting centre backs, with Victor Lindelof also ruled out through illness.

Marcus Rashford is also out of the side following reports he is injured. He is not in the squad after reportedly failing a fitness test.

Alejandro Garnacho starts in his place on the left wing, as he did against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in the starting line-up after a long injury layoff, with Diogo Dalot switching to the left hand side in place of Sergio Reguilon.

Casemiro was already ruled out of the game through injury but his expected replacement, Sofyan Amrabat, is also not in the starting XI. He is also on the bench.

Scott McTominay appears to be playing in the holding midfield role alongside Christian Eriksen.

Andre Onana, Bruno Fernandes, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund make up the rest of the starting XI.

Time for team news! #MUFC || #FULMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 4, 2023

Joining Varane and Ambrabat on the bench are goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Reguilon, Hannibal, Kobbie Mainoo, Facu Pellistri, Mason Mount and Anthony Martial.

Kick-off at Craven Cottage is at 12.30pm.

The post Confirmed Man United XI vs Fulham: Raphael Varane and Marcus Rashford both absent appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Sergio Reguilon and Raphael Varane should return to the starting XI to shore up the defence after a makeshift backline played against Brentford.

Amidst the leaking goals, Andre Onana has been backed by the manager and he will keep his place for this game. However, Ten Hag has warned him that he needs to sort himself out soon.

Ahead of him, Varane will come into the team at the expense of Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof should partner him.

Reguilon’s return will also enable Diogo Dalot to shift to his preferred right-back spot, making a back four of Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, and Reguilon.

There is a headache in the midfield with Casemiro ruled out due to injury.

However, Kobbie Mainoo is a wild card to be in the squad after “looking sharp” in an appearance for the first team against Barnsley during the international break.

Undisputed starters in midfield are Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and Sofyan Amrabat in the Brazilian’s absence. Mainoo might come off the bench.

Christian Eriksen might have to contend with a bench role again as Amrabat offers more physicality, running, grit and defensive nous than the Dane.

The attack picks itself after Antony’s return to the club. He will take his place on the right wing.

Alongside him will be two heroes of the international break.

Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford flourished for Denmark and England respectively and will be relied upon to provide the goals that put the Blades away in this tricky away fixture.

With all that in mind, here is our predicted XI for tomorrow’s game:

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Last season after his sensational move to United from Real Madrid, Casemiro was arguably United’s best player.

The Brazilian came under praise for his gritty and no-nonsense performances in the middle of the park which had been lacking for so many years at United.

However, this term, Casemiro has demonstrated a sharp decline.

He has been accused on multiple occasions of abandoning his position to go forward in search of goalscoring adventures. In addition to this, Casemiro has developed a habit of recklessly diving into challenges and tackles, which see him completely taken out of the game when evaded by a rival player.

The 31-year-old was partially at fault for Brentford’s opening goal during the 2-1 comeback win at Old Trafford just before the international break.

In that game, Casemiro was taken off at half-time and replaced by Christian Eriksen. Erik ten Hag later spoke to reporters and explained that he hooked Casemiro because he “wanted more football.”

At the moment, the United number 18 is still in Brazil recovering from an injury he picked up while playing for the Selecao.

He will not be available for selection when the Red Devils travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United on Saturday.

Amidst his struggles however, Varane has backed Casemiro to re-discover his best form and contribute positively to the team, just as he did in the 2022/23 campaign.

In an interview with Premier League Originals, Varane, who also shared a dressing room with Casemiro at Real Madrid, hailed the midfielder’s ability to detect and subsequently neutralize danger.

The French defender said, “He [Casemiro] brings a lot of balance on the team, I think he can cut out a lot of counter-attacks we could concede.”

“It’s just amazing and with him I have a great connection on the pitch, even without talking.”

Varane added, “We know exactly where we’re going to move for each other. It’s very helpful for the team to have a player like him.”

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Manager Erik ten Hag can point out that injuries have devastated the squad. At the same time, off-field controversies involving two right-wingers have played a major role in the disappointing results.

However, what has really let him down is the performance of his big-game players who were instrumental behind United’s rise up the table last term.

Big stars letting ETH down

One player who has been facing a lot of heat recently is Casemiro, with the Brazilian looking like a pale shadow of his former self.

He seems to be unable to deal with the opposition counters, while he seems to be more focussed on attacking rather than shielding the back four.

Ten Hag was forced to substitute him in the game against the Bees and he later clarified that the change was done as he wanted someone who could retain the ball and pass it.

His former Real Madrid teammate Raphael Varane has endured a terrible time when it comes to injuries since his arrival in Manchester a couple of seasons ago.

The Frenchman has been injured for a whopping 180 days and has missed almost 40 games, a terrible record for a starting defender.

Ten Hag’s best two centre-backs are World Cup winners Varane and Lisandro Martinez and both have missed a lot of games at the same time.

Former United United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has indicated that both the former France international and the Brazil star are causing Ten Hag to not play his style of football at United because they can no longer play at an intense pace.

Rene Meulensteen’s opinion

“United have certain shortcomings,” Meulensteen was quoted as saying to ESPN. “(Varane) cannot handle the pace. The Premier League is dynamic. Everything goes at 100 kilometres per hour.

“That is the big problem in midfield. They have no energy and that is how the defence gets into trouble. He (Ten Hag) wants to put a lot of pressure on, with a lot of intensity. Just like at Ajax.

“But he doesn’t have the players for that. The players don’t have the mentality to constantly put pressure on. Casemiro, for example, can’t handle it at all.

“Ten Hag has a certain conviction about how he wants to play. But he has to find ways to get there.”

For United’s sake, fans will be hoping Varane can stay injured for a sustained period especially post Martinez’s injury while Casemiro regains the form he displayed last season.

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United came from a goal behind to win in dramatic fashion against the Bees at Old Trafford.

A first-half goal from Mathias Jensen that came about as a result of poor defending from United, looked set to hand the Red Devils their fourth straight loss in all competitions.

Scott McTominay however had other ideas.

The Scotland international was brought on from the bench and grabbed a brace deep into added time to secure all three points for his side.

Varane was the most noticeable absence from the matchday squad. His absence sparked concerns and worry amongst United supporters.

To replace Varane and the injured Lisandro Martinez, Erik ten Hag started an unlikely centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. The two did well and were solid at the back.

Varane had returned to action during the game against Burnley at Turf Moor following a month-long lay-off.

He then started three of United’s subsequent clashes in all competitions.

Ten Hag told Sky Sports before the game against Thomas Frank’s men, “He couldn’t make the game, he had a minor issue.”

“If it was two or three days longer [between matches], he could have made it but now it was too short.”

Going by Ten Hag’s words, the expectation is that the Frenchman could be back after the two-week October international break.

United’s next game will see them face Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United at home.

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