Ten Hag denies any broken relationship with Varane
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 11.11.23. | 15:32
The Dutchman cited 'tactical reasons' for keeping the Frenchman on the bench
Among the great number of problems Manchester United currently has, it was almost slipped under the radar that coach Erik ten Hag has left out Raphael Varane out of the starting line-up for the 0-3 loss to Manchester City. He explained that the reason was ‘tactical’ and he started Johnny Evans and Harry Maguire. After the humiliation from the eternal rival, a new game was played, this time against Newcastle in the Cup and again there was no Varane, and again the result was 0-3. He was than excused due to fitness reasons. After a much needed win at Fulham, the tensions eased a bit, so the question about the French international finally came to the fore.
He was a big signing with United in 2021, as the Red Devils expected experience from the four time Champions League winner and now, two seasons later, he is in a situation that he didn’t start the last four matches, despite being totally fit. 35-year old Jonny Evans was chosen over him, and when he got injured, Lindeloff came instead, and during the whole time, Harry Maguire is the other starting defender. It’s quite logical to think that there is some issue between the Frenchman and Ten Hag, but the Dutch coach denies those claims.
“Absolutely not. As I said, it is about tactical reasons why I chose these partnerships. I think Harry and Jonny did well. Harry didn’t play a lot last year, so I was very happy with Rapha’s performances. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition. I always said Harry Maguire can do the job — and now he is showing he can do the job” Ten Hag explained.
United’s coach apparently likes to start with defender who are playing with their strongest foot and he thinks that Evans is a better passer from the back.
“There are moments in certain games where they can play together and they have already proven they can do it. But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre back position” explained the Dutchman. On the other hand, the media are reporting that Varane is not happy with the situation and already talked to Ten Hag about it. Are we gonna see (another) strained relation between the Dutchman and one of his players?
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 12
Saturday
15.30: (3.40) Wolverhampton (3.60) Tottenham (2.20)
18.00: (1.37) Man.Utd. (4.90) Luton (8.50)
18.00: (2.55) Crystal Palace (3.25) Everton (3.10)
18.00: (1.20) Arsenal (6.75) Burnley (14.0)
19.30: (4.90) Bournemouth (3.60) Newcastle (1.75)
Sunday
17.00: (1.25) Brighton (7.00) Sheffield Utd (12.0)
17.00: (1.45) Liverpool (4.80) Brentford (8.00)
17.00: (1.90) West Ham (3.60) Nott.Forest (4.50)
17.00: (1.57) Aston Villa (4.00) Fulham (6.00)
19.30: (5.40) Chelsea (3.70) Man.City (1.75)
***odds are subject to change
