Manchester United are enduring a horrid time this season, with Erik ten Hag’s men breaking unwanted records with each passing week.
Earlier this week, United succumbed to their 14th defeat of the season and the week prior, it was confirmed that the club had not lost as many games this early in a season since 1930.
United’s shameful form has, as expected, sparked some debate and few first-team players are safe from criticism.
United are, however, not in good enough financial state to extend their two-year-long spending spree under Ten Hag and could instead look to keep some players on reduced wages.
It was confirmed over the weekend that Victor Lindelof’s contract was extended by an additional 12 months, keeping him at the club until 2025.
Raphael Varane’s contract is due to expire at the end of this season and on Monday, it was reported that United had decided not to extend his deal for an additional year.
Instead, they will look to keep the Frenchman at the club on reduced terms, hoping to renegotiate with the 2018 World Cup winner.
Now, former United captain Gary Neville has slammed United’s decision-making, claiming that although the pair are far from poor players, the willingness to stick with a failing regime is worrisome.
“If United are looking to renew Lindelof and Varane (on reduced terms) I’m worried,” Neville said on X.
“We have to start afresh as much as possible. Whilst these 2 aren’t bad players by any stretch, a message must be sent to everyone inside and outside of the club that it’s not going to tolerate the levels over the last few years.”
With just six months remaining on his contract, Varane is free to speak to foreign clubs over a pre-agreement as he is yet to commit his future to Old Trafford.
Varane has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag this season, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof both picked ahead of him in recent months.
