Ten Hag convinced Manchester United will see the best of Raphael Varane

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag is “convinced” Manchester United will see the best of World Cup winner and former Real Madrid man Raphael Varane this season.

It was hoped that when the Frenchman arrived at Old Trafford last summer for an initial £34m that the former Los Blancos colossus and Harry Maguire could strike up a devastating partnership.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United fans were hoping that Maguire and Varane could become the club’s best centre-back duo since the dominating trophy-laden days of Nemaja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

But United’s club captain suffered an almighty nosedive in form and Varane endured a very difficult first season in English football which was hampered by injuries.

Ten Hag convinced Manchester United will see the best of Raphael Varane

United’s number 19 only managed 20 Premier League starts in his maiden campaign in the top-flight, and with Ten Hag’s former Ajax star Lisandro Martinez forming part of the Red Devils rebuild, Varane isn’t guaranteed of a starting berth when fit.

But the former Ajax manager is “convinced” that the France international can return to the formidable form that he showed in the Spanish capital and shrug off last season’s injury struggles.

Speaking to the club’s website, the 52-year-old said: “One hundred per cent, I am convinced of that.

“During pre-season we built a real careful and individual training plan that in the last three weeks he has been involved in every session on the pitch, I am really happy about that.

“You see him growing, his fitness levels and also his performances levels. I am happy about that as at the moment, Rapha will be fit and it is a huge squad for both the squad and the team.”

The four-time Champions League winner will be hoping to start United’s first Premier League game of the 2022-23 campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Theatre of Dreams, which kicks off at 2pm today.