Raphael Varane’s Man Utd career torn to pieces in scathing review – “Not done anything”

Former France international Raphael Varane has struggled for fitness and form since leaving Spanish giants Real Madrid for English side Manchester United two years ago

Tim Sherwood believes Raphael Varane “has not done anything” since joining Manchester United from Real Madrid in July 2021.

United are enduring a tough season under Erik ten Hag. They have already lost six games – including home defeats to Brighton, Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. A late Scott McTominay brace spared their blushes in a 2-1 win against Brentford last Saturday.

Signing Varane was viewed as a huge coup for United, but the 30-year-old defender has struggled to play consistently since the transfer. He’s been restricted just just 51 Premier League appearances and missed the recent win against the Bees.

Premier League winner Sherwood believes Varane has to do more if United are to be successful. The France international knows what it takes to win trophies after lifting four Champions League trophies with Real and the 2018 World Cup with his country.

“Basically what they’re doing is under Ten Hag buying a load of superstars and hoping that they perform,” Sherwood told Premier League Productions after the victory against Brentford. “They haven’t got a clear style play, I don’t see any patterns, any structure.”

Sherwood praised McTominay and fellow academy graduate Hannibal Mejbri for their commitment to the cause. He added: “He (Mejbri) wanted to run around, he wanted to tackle, and he wanted to absolutely leave nothing on the pitch for his shirt.”

Sherwood then told Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford “they need to look at some of these kids who are coming in who really appreciate the opportunity” before taking aim at Casemiro and Varane. Casemiro has also faced his fare share of criticism this season.

The ex-midfielder continued: “For me, Varane (gets) away with it. He has not done anything since he’s been at that football club. We talk about (Bukayo) Saka when people say, ‘Consecutive games, he needs a rest, he needs a rest’.

“This boy (Varane) is in, he’s out, he’s injured again. I think there’s no durability there. What’s he done for Manchester United? I think there are far too many of them (not doing enough). But we’re alright getting on the back of Harry Maguire, we’ll a little pop at him.”

Maguire has arguably faced the most criticism among United players, with Ten Hag stripping him of the captaincy during the summer. Yet as Sherwood proves, Varane isn’t immune to facing the music. Paul Scholes has also questioned the Frenchmen’s displays.

“I worry about Varane a bit,” said Scholes after United’s 3-2 loss to Galatasaray. “I do think he’s been one of the very best defenders around, just like Rio (Ferdinand) was, in that same ilk at Real Madrid, but I just feel like his legs are looking a little bit sluggish.”