Raphael Varane returned to action for Manchester United last night to make his first appearance since the World Cup final.
Varane was pressed into making a swift return due to Victor Lindelof being ill and Harry Maguire only just being ruled fit enough to play on the bench.
Luke Shaw had to partner Varane at centre-back, with Lisandro Martinez not yet back from Argentina’s World Cup squad.
It was not an issue for Varane to make a quick return, Erik ten Hag explained, praising his professionalism.
Varane played 76 minutes and helped United to keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 win.
Ten Hag praises Varane’s professionalism
Speaking to MUTV, Ten Hag said Varane assured him he would be ready to play.
Ten Hag explained: “I had a talk with him yesterday, that is the way he is and he takes responsibility.
“That’s why he is so successful and is the reason why he has won so many trophies, he is so important for the squad, for the team and the manager. He directly told me he is ready.”
The manager’s comments underline how highly he rates the defender.
He said he did have some limited training before the match, and ‘took care’ with him considering his injury history, however, he described the situation as an ’emergency’ from a selection point of view.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said: “Rapha, I think, he shows once again his great personality, the great standards he is giving Manchester United by coming from the World Cup.
“We had a problem in the centre-half position and he is taking responsibility to play and he performed really well. He was, once again, very important for our team.”
Casemiro filled in during midweek, while young defender Rhys Bennett was also on the bench, a player Ten Hag talked up, and impressed in a recent friendly with Real Betis.
Having Varane back was a preferable situation to either these options, being able to select a two-time World Cup finalist in defence.
Last night was his first United game since the mid-October draw against Chelsea. It was good to see him back.
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