Raphael Varane and Erik ten Hag have set aside their differences at Manchester United for now, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag looked to have banished Raphael Varane from his first-team plans back in October after the French defender was left out of the starting 11 for Manchester United’s vital clash against Manchester City.
Jonny Evans was starting alongside Harry Maguire and that was how United’s centre-back pairing lined up until the Northern Irish defender suffered an injury which led to Victor Lindelof replacing him.
Varane, who is a multiple times Champions League winner with Real Madrid, had to take a watching brief and Bayern Munich were reportedly circling for his signature.
Varane’s future
It has emerged that the defender’s contract expires next summer, so United will have the decision, which will need to be made fairly soon, about whether they want to trigger the one-year extension in his contract.
A week ago it looked likely he would be leaving the club but the French defender has started the last two games with manager and player setting aside their differences according to a report from the Daily Mail.
His future should become clearer over the next few weeks but the club are remaining ‘tight-lipped’ over the Frenchman’s future, according to the report.
No decision over his future has been made yet. United have confirmed they will offer extensions to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof, but the Frenchman’s future remains a mystery.
Vital Varane
It’s not an exaggeration to say that keeping Varane, until the summer at least, will be vital for the Red Devils’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League again this summer.
With 12 defeats to their name in all competitions this season, the defence has struggled for consistency due to the myriad of injury problems faced.
Varane’s return into the first team could be key as United looked far more solid defensively in the two games he started against Bayern Munich and Liverpool than they did in the games prior.
His return, and willingness to play for Ten Hag, could be key.
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