£42m star might ‘have to consider future’ at Old Trafford

Manchester United will be in the market for a new central defender next summer and that could have ramifications on Raphael Varane‘s future, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

Erik ten Hag has the likes of the Frenchman, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire at his disposal, but it appears that the United manager is not entirely satisfied with his current centre-back options.

Has Varane been a regular for United this season?

Yes, the 29-year-old has played in most of United’s fixtures in the current campaign.

It is something that he will be pleased with after missing loads of Premier League games last season.

Following his £42m move from Real Madrid (via BBC Sport) in the 2021 summer transfer window, Varane was only able to make 22 appearances in the English top flight after picking up more than one injury.

So far in the current campaign, though, Varane has not had too many problems and United supporters will be hoping that things stay that way.

What has Jones said about United and Varane?

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that United want to sign a new centre-back. As a result, the journalist thinks Varane could soon be in a bit of trouble at Old Trafford.

Speaking to GMS, he said: “United are on the lookout for a new centre-back signing at the end of this season and it might be that Varane has to consider his own future as part of that.”

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Should United sell Varane?

No. If United do plan to sell one of their centre-halves next summer for whatever reason, then it should probably be Harry Maguire.

He has barely played under Ten Hag this season – though he has missed some games because of injury – and is starting to have his weaknesses exposed.

“Maguire can’t run so you need to play a five at the back,” former Arsenal player Paul Merson said on Sky Sports (via Manchester Evening News) back in August.

“Play him in a three and he’s a very good player. He comes out with the ball; he can pass it. When he plays in a four, he can’t go and engage because if he gets in a one-on-one, he’s going to struggle.”

The above does not mean Maguire is a bad footballer. As Merson highlighted, he is superb at bringing the ball out of defence.

But given how things are going for him right now, if United did have to make room for a new centre-back, you would expect the England international to be the casualty rather than Varane.

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