Raphael Varane finds himself out of the Manchester United team purely for footballing and tactical reasons, it has been suggested.
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Varane not started league game since SeptemberTen Hag prefers left-footed centre-backs such as EvansFrenchman not regarded as a progressive passerWHAT HAPPENED?
The four-time Champions League winner and 2018 World Cup winner finds himself on the fringes of the United team after a huge decline in form. He has not started a Premier League match since the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on September 30 and, despite returning from injury in October, he has played just 11 minutes of league football for the struggling Red Devils. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all been preferred to the former Real Madrid defender in recent weeks. According to , Varane has tumbled down the pecking order due to Ten Hag's preference for having left-footed players in the left centre-back position and due to his difficulty in making progressive passes.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag has stated on several occasions that left-footed players have better passing angles when they are in the left centre-back position and have better chances of making good tackles rather than hooking the ball away with their stronger right foot. Evans and Lindelof are all more capable with their left foot than Varane, meaning he is forced to compete with the resurgent Harry Maguire for the other position in the heart of United's defence.
DID YOU KNOW?
Another factor is Varane's conservative passing. Ten Hag is desperately trying to make United a more progressive side, which explains why he axed David de Gea in the summer and signed Andre Onana. But Varane is reluctant to make long passes, unlike Maguire, and is more comfortable playing sideways which leaves United vulnerable to losing the ball in dangerous positions.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR VARANE?
He is enjoying the international break since retiring from the France team and will be be hoping to return to the starting line-up for United's next league game away to Everton on November 26.