Manchester United defender Raphael Varane isn’t in the squad tonight – but it’s down to illness rather than selection.
Raphael Varane was an unused substitute against Manchester City on Sunday, with Erik ten Hag preferring to use Jonny Evans alongside Harry Maguire.
That left some wondering about Varane’s future under Ten Hag and tongues were wagging when the Frenchman wasn’t even in the matchday squad to face Newcastle United tonight.
However, it seems that Varane is ill rather than being out of Ten Hag’s plans.
That is according to reporter Paul Hirst of The Times, who claims that the defender has picked up an illness and isn’t involved.
Raphael Varane issues continue at Manchester United
We can’t criticise Varane for picking up an illness – at this time of the year, it’s always going to happen to players across the country.
This is though just another case of Varane being unavailable, which has been far too common during his time at United.
The 30-year-old showed his quality as a top centre back for years with Real Madrid, and he felt like a major signing in 2021.
United fans haven’t really seen the best of Varane in a United shirt with injuries and now illness proving to be problems.
Varane has been limited to just four Premier League starts this season and tonight’s absence just adds to a rather underwhelming United career to date.
Varane must prove himself ahead of summer transfer window
United appear to be in the market for another centre back in 2024 and Varane should not consider himself safe.
The Manchester Evening News reported in September that United will target another athletic defender to compete with Varane.
There are legitimate concerns that Varane is losing his athleticism and Paul Scholes shared that fear last month.
United may well go and spend on a defender with the likes of Edmond Tapsoba, Antonio Silva and Jean-Clair Todibo linked of late.
We can appreciate that Varane was unlucky tonight, but he needs to prove that he can get back to his best and make himself available for selection regularly.
There is time for Varane to turn his season around and prove that he can be important moving forward, but United may well weigh up his future if things don’t improve.
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