Manchester United fans are deeply divided over the stance that the Premier League club are taking over Raphael Varane’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
Varane left Real Madrid in 2021 and completed an initial £34m move to United, with the former Los Blancos star making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
The 30-year-old defender struck up a formidable partnership with Lisandro Martinez last season and became a valuable defensive asset for United manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Varane’s future at United was plunged into doubt last summer after the 2018 World Cup winner attracted fierce interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Varane remained at Old Trafford for the current campaign, but the Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order and has been battling for regular first-team minutes.
The former France international has started seven out of 11 Premier League matches for United this season, with Varane’s future at the club cast in uncertainty.
Some United fans baffled by club’s stance on Varane
According to ESPN, United will not trigger an extension to Varane’s current contract with the club.
United had initially reported the ex-France defender’s contract expired in 2025, but it was later revealed that was an error and his deal comes to an end this summer.
Varane is now free to speak with clubs outside of the Premier League from this month and sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of leaving United on a free.
The former Madrid centre-back is reportedly earning a hefty £340k per week at United, with a one-year contract extension taking his deal up to June 2025.
ESPN added that United ‘have not ruled out extending’ Varane’s contract, but fans are baffled over the club’s stance on the four-time Champions League winner.
United fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, are not convinced by the Premier League club extending Victor Lindelof’s deal over Varane’s contract at Old Trafford.
“He’s still a decent player,” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “I don’t understand the thought process of getting rid of our best defender.”
Another posted: “The only way this makes sense is if he’s planning on signing a new deal with United.”
While a fourth argued: “I’d keep him on reduced terms. He still has a lot to offer both on the pitch and helping our youngsters develop.”
“Varane is their best defender, I don’t understand that club,” a fifth X user wrote.
And a sixth tweeted: “Extending Lindeolf’s contract over Varane is everything you need to know about United’s ownership. Comical.”
Some United fans ready to move Varane on
One fan posted: “Good, he’s injury prone [and] he barely plays anyway.”
“With his injury record, it’s understandable,” a second added.
And a third wrote: “Best for everyone with him always injured. It’s better he leaves.”
Somebody else said: “I’ll be sorry to see Varane leave as he’s a top defender, [but] he’s over 30, injury prone and on mega wages.”
A fifth tweeted: “Turns 31 in April, consistently injured and on 340k a week. Absolutely logical that we wouldn’t renew. He’s a complete representation of United’s poor transfer business.”
While a sixth argued: “The most correct decision in ages… no disrespect [to] Varane, a great player, but [he’s] not fitting us in the moment where we need to build a new team.”
A seventh added: “It’s about time we became ruthless and didn’t bend because a player has a name. If it doesn’t make sense financially, we move.”
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