Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is concerned about Raphael Varane following a poor display in Wednesday night’s 4-3 defeat against FC Copenhagen.
Varane was one of the first names on the teamsheet at the start of the season when he scored the winner against Wolves. But since suffering an injury at the end of August, he has started just once in the league and was overlooked in the Manchester derby as Jonny Evans started alongside Harry Maguire.
The former France international came off the bench last night earlier than expected because Evans picked up an injury in the first half. Not only did he play poorly as he regularly gave away possession, Varane looked like someone that didn’t want to be on the pitch.
When Varane came on it looked like players were rallying around him. Don’t know what’s gone on behind the scenes to mean he’s out of the first XI, whether it’s injury concerns or something else. But he didn’t cover himself in glory tonight with his performance 😬
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) November 8, 2023
Scholes was asked if it surprised him that Varane isn’t starting games at the moment. He told TNT Sports, as quoted by The Mirror: “Slightly, especially because he brought Varane into the team – Jonny was a free transfer. I think whichever centre-back he plays, I think they have to play counter-attacking football because none of them are that quick.
“Varane was quick and now, is he losing his legs a little bit? They have to rely on that pace a little bit.
“The manager emphasised how much he missed a settled back four and a holding midfielder – I still don’t think he’s got that. He’s had too many players that have been inconsistent and out of form so it’s very difficult for him to play a team that is in form and that can do the job.”
It’s no secret that injuries have really hurt us this season and we’re not going to have Luke Shaw or Lisandro Martinez fit for another while.
Meanwhile, Casemiro has been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
It remains to be seen how long Evans will be out injured, but I’ve lost a lot of confidence in Varane this season.
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