Erik ten Hag responds to Raphael Varane reports and says Manchester United teammate won’t be ready to face Everton

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has responded to reports he has fallen out with defender Raphael Varane.

Raphael Varane has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks, with Jonny Evans preferred for the Manchester derby.

When he was given a chance off the bench after Evans was injured against Copenhagen, Varane did not play well, and was then dropped against Luton, with Victor Lindelof preferred.

This turned out to be an inspired decision with Lindelof scoring the winner.

Speculation over Varane

All of this has led to speculation over Raphael Varane’s future at Manchester United, with The Sun reporting the Frenchman is ‘stunned’ over how he has fallen out of favour.

The Daily Mail report Bayern Munich are keen to sign Varane, and would consider a £25 million move to strengthen their already rich centre-back options.

Erik ten Hag has responded to this, and insists there is no problem with Varane.

He told a press conference: “I don’t know what you are talking about,” in reference to claims he has fallen out with the 2018 World Cup winner.

He then added: “He is very important player. There’s internal competition.”

Harry Maguire has been the big winner at centre-back lately, stepping up as a must-start regular, and Varane is battling for a spot alongside him.

Evans not ready

Ten Hag did give an update over Jonny Evans’ fitness, and says there is encouraging news on the horizon even though he won’t make the Everton match on Sunday.

He said: “He’s on the way back. He’s not ready for Everton, [but] it will not take long.”

United have a tough fixture list over the next month and the more options the better available will be helpful.

Lisandro Martinez is also on the way back after being spotted at Carrington, but could still be a month away.