Erik ten Hag wants experienced duo Raphael Varane and Casemiro to see out the season with Manchester United amid reports of their potential exits, as per ESPN.
It’s always looked as though Casemiro, who arrived at Old Trafford in August 2022, has been high in the manager’s estimations since he made the switch from Real Madrid.
When fit, the Brazilian has always started and even captained the Reds in Bruno Fernandes’ absence earlier this season, but sustained an unfortunate hamstring injury in October and is not expected back until the new year.
How Varane has fared this season
As for Varane, his situation has raised eyebrows. Despite being one of United’s most reliable and successful members of the squad – certainly in the backline – he has fallen out of favour this term and in recent months, has ranked behind the likes of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order.
He returned to the starting 11 in the past two matches, against Bayern Munich in the final Champions League group stage game and against Liverpool at Anfield, the latter of which he was named Player of the Match. Prior to the double-header of consecutive starts, Varane had been named in the line-up once in the previous 13 games, which reportedly led to him feeling ‘forced out’.
The 30-year-old’s contract will expire in June 2024, though United have the option of triggering a one-year extension. If they don’t, he’s free to talk to foreign clubs over a free transfer as early as next month.
