2023-11-17 11:56:07
When Manchester United was able to free Raphael Varane from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, the Red Devils were able to celebrate a coup.
Finally, the French central defender, a four-time Champions League winner and 2018 world champion, moved to the English record champions. And that for less than 50 million euros.
A little more than two years later, no one is talking regarding a transfer coup anymore. Because Varane is as far away from his top form from his Real days as Madrid is from Manchester.
The 30-year-old’s downfall reached its lowest point on the last Champions League matchday when he came on as a substitute in the 16th minute of the game at FC Copenhagen when the score was 1-0 for the guests.
With Varane, United’s defense falls apart
The fact that the game was later lost 3-4 and ended in a debacle for United was not least due to the Frenchman. After his substitution, he was never able to give the team the stability it needed and the defense literally fell apart in the final phase.
The fact that Marcus Rashford was sent off shortly before half-time and United had to make do with one player less can only be partially cited as an excuse for the dismal defensive performance in the second half given the Red Devils’ nominal class.
The personification of this achievement was Varane. Sluggish in defense, unfocused in building up the game. This is how Varane presented himself in Copenhagen. An out of the question performance that was “crowned” by two serious errors in the creation of the decisive goal shortly before the end.
He was even mocked online as a “clown”.
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Varane is displaced by Jonny Evans
His substitution already showed how much the former Real star has slipped down the defensive pecking order at Manchester United under coach Erik ten Hag.
He came on as a substitute for Jonny Evans, who sustained a hamstring strain. The Northern Irishman returned to Manchester United from Leicester City before the season and, at the age of 35, was actually only intended as a backup in central defense.
But he has now replaced Varane, who is now only number four in United’s central defender rankings behind Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and Evans.
A decision that must seem like the ultimate humiliation to France’s 2018 World Cup winner.
United legend Rio Ferdinand suggested on his YouTube show Vibe with Five that Varane had gotten a headache just from the idea. “He thinks: ‘I played with the best players in the world, I came to Man United and Jonny Evans is in the starting line-up ahead of me!’”
The coach denies that Varane’s demotion might have anything to do with disagreements in his relationship with Ten Hag. “Absolutely not,” he said. “It’s regarding tactical reasons why I chose two other players. I think Harry and Jonny did well.”
Varane remains out even following Evans’ injury
The Dutchman doesn’t seem to have the highest opinion of Varane. The multiple Champions League winner did not replace the injured Evans in the following Premiere League game once morest Luton Town.
It was the Swede Lindelöf who formed the central defense together with Maguire and held tight at the back in the 1-0 win once morest the newly promoted team. Varane, on the other hand, was once once more only substituted on in the final phase.
According to the club, Evans will be out for a few more weeks. At the moment it looks as if Varane will have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench in the coming games.
“I want to make a difference here and will do everything I can to become part of the illustrious history of this club,” Varane said following his move to Manchester United.
Given the developments in the last few weeks and months, there probably isn’t much left of this initially great motivation. Instead of an entry in the annals of the Red Devils, it currently looks more like an early farewell to Manchester.
His contract is still dated until 2025. But there is already speculation in the English media regarding a possible winter move to Saudi Arabia. Apparently there might even be a reunion with his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr is said to be interested.
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