Paul Scholes admits worry about £41m Manchester United player

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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has shared his concerns about defender Raphael Varane after the 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray.

United were hoping to get back on track against Galatasaray having lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

Sadly, United’s defensive woes appeared once again in a pretty torrid Old Trafford defeat.

Rasmus Hojlund’s opener was cancelled out by Wilfried Zaha before the Dane again had United in front with a superb goal.

Kerem Akturkoglu again levelled it up for Galatasaray, and after Mauro Icardi fired a penalty wide, the Argentinian made up for his error with a dink over Andre Onana to win it.

United are already in big Champions League trouble after two defeats in two and another post-match inquest is now on.

Paul Scholes concerned about Raphael Varane

Shoddy defending is always going to place intense focus on United’s back line.

Diogo Dalot was done for Zaha’s goal, there was far too much space for Akturkoglu to score, another Onana mistake caused the penalty and Icardi’s winner was a complete mess.

Sofyan Amrabat cleared a ball away whilst chasing back to the ball with United’s defensive line stood watching rather than actively adapting to the play, leaving Icardo clear through on goal.

Part of this back line is Raphael Varane, who hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory this season.

The Frenchman has suffered fairly regular injury problems in a United shirt, liming 42 Premier League starts in the last two seasons.

Now 30, Varane appears to be feeling the effects of those injuries now and doesn’t look close to the force he was in a Real Madrid shirt.

United legend Paul Scholes spoke to TNT Sports (03/10, 22:28) after the final whistle and highlighted his concerns about Varane.

Scholes feels that Varane now looks ‘sluggish’ with his movement and is now ‘worried’ about the Frenchman in terms of his fitness and diminishing athletic ability.

“I worry about Varane a little bit,” said Scholes. “He’s been one of the very best defenders around, but I just think his legs are starting to look sluggish and he can’t keep fit – I’d be worried about him,” he added.

United seem to agree about Varane

United bought Varane for £41million in 2021 in an attempt to win immediately; it hasn’t happened and just over two years on from the deal, he now looks to be struggling.

It now seems that United do have concerns about Varane and are looking to the transfer market.

The Manchester Evening News reported in September that United want Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.

It was suggested that United wanted an ‘athletic defender’ due to concerns about Varane’s injury situation, believing added competition was required.

Tapsoba has since signed a new contract with Leverkusen and a deal for him in 2024 could be very expensive.

United may need to splash the cash on another defender though with Varane’s issues now clear for all to see.