Manchester United defender Raphael Varane escapes justified criticism for his lack of availability and form due to his reputation, according to former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss has ripped into Varane for his continued injury woes and contribution to United’s poor season.
Varane became an instant fan favourite when he arrived at Old Trafford in a £34million deal from Real Madrid in 2021.
The French World Cup winner added star power to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad in the same summer as Jadon Sancho’s £73m move and Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational arrival.
But his time at United has been stricken by relentless injuries, which he tried to counter by retiring from international duty aged 29 in February.
Varane has missed 33 games across just over two seasons at Old Trafford, though he has often made up for his extended absences with strong displays, most notably alongside Lisandro Martinez.
However, his performance levels have dropped at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s porous defence this term, with Martinez’s form also taking a hit after his failed recovery from the first of two foot surgeries this year.
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And Sherwood has aimed a dig at Varane, questioning why he is so highly rated when his fitness continues to be a liability and form just as underwhelming as United’s other defenders.
“One player that really annoys me is Raphael Varane. I think he is getting away with it. He is never fit, and when he is fit, he’s bang average,” Sherwood told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“We all know he’s had a great career, but at the same time, everyone is happy to jump on the back of Harry Maguire whilst Varane just gets away with it.
“The ones who play more football are simply more durable, and they can play week in and week out.
“Varane seems to play once and then be injured again for two weeks. He seems to be picking his games, but when he plays, he’s not that brilliant anyway.”
Varane missed United’s 2-1 win against Brentford with his latest issue, forcing Ten Hag to start Maguire and Jonny Evans in central defence, while Victor Lindelof played at left-back.
But the 30-year-old returned to training on Thursday and is thought to be in contention to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday night.
Amid reports Ten Hag is eyeing a right-sided centre-back as a priority next summer, Varane’s days as his first-choice option could be numbered.
