Trapped on thin ice: Varane is at Ten Hag's mercy, everything reminds of the Sancho case

He was supposed to hold the defense of Manchester United, to be its pillar and to revive United's champions' DNA by bringing some from Real Madrid to the dressing room of the struggling island giant. However, not only is he not getting that role of commander under Erik ten Hag - Raphael Varane is getting less and less playing time.

The Frenchman is on thin ice at Manchester United. And in a way, his situation is reminiscent of Jadon Sancho's. It's just that the French stopper was smarter, he didn't speak against the club and it's members and that's why he gets minutes here and there and has the opportunity to be part of the team. And opposed to the English winger - Varane trains in Carrington with the rest of the squad.

Erik ten Hag had a dispute with Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese ended his second term at Old Trafford prematurely. David de Gea was not to his taste because of his poor footwork, he left the club, and there is every chance United did not hit the mark with Andre Onana. Jadon Sancho has been out of favor since the end of August, and it all started with the statement of the Dutch coach that he was left out of the squad for the match with Arsenal for tactical reasons.

A long tongue has cost the English winger dearly. He lashed out at Erik ten Hag, said he was out of favor and a scapegoat. Since then, all doors have been closed to him. He has been banned from all club activities, banned from Old Trafford and is looking for a way to leave United in the winter. The sooner, the better.

However, he is not the only one who could walk through the exit door any time soon...

The Sancho scenario is similar to the one of the French sweeper. The situation is not the same, but the starting point is. And in the case of Raphael Varane, the Dutch strategist recently said that he is not in the starting line-up for tactical reasons, and in the last month or so, he started only one game - against Copenhagen in the Champions League. He has not been a starter in the Premier League since the end of September.

He also had minor problems with injuries, but the fact that there is a problem and that the Dutchman has lost confidence in Raphael Varane is shown by the fact that he was able to leave him on the bench in the derby with Manchester City or give him a minute against Fulham or six against Sheffield United. He plays with the nerves of the French sweeper and provokes a reaction.

Almost everyone in the hierarchy has overtaken the man who has a handful of trophies, mere four Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and won the World Cup in Russia with France. Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Johnny Evans, who got a contract this summer due to a combination of circumstances, are getting more minutes. Humiliating for a player of such reputation.

Maybe Raphael Varane will manage to mend relations with the coach, but whoever hears next that he was left out for tactical reasons will know what is in store for him - thou shall fall out of favor.

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