Manchester United have a dilemma with an out-of-contract player after Brentford draw

Man United defender Raphael Varane is out of contract at the end of the season and could leave the club on a free transfer.

Raphael Varane is Manchester United’s best defender and yet he could leave in a few months.

Varane is out of contract at the end of the season and the option to extend his contract by another season has not been triggered, which means a possible departure is looming.

It’s understood Varane was hopeful of the extension in his deal being activated but that would have meant he continued to be one of the highest earners at Old Trafford.

United were not prepared to trigger that option and talks over a new contract, with fresh terms and reduced wages, have been put on hold. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ power makers will decide his future and there are clearly arguments for and against giving him a new deal.

Varane started alongside Victor Lindelof against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday night and he was the best player in a green shirt in the first half.

United were expected to build on their special 4-3 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup before the international break, but inconsistency is deep-rooted in the dressing room and the players looked like they hadn’t played together for a year, never mind just under two weeks.

Brentford started poorly but sensed an opportunity and grew into the game. Their crosses into the box caused problems and Varane seemed like the only player capable of making a clearance.

Varane was imperious in aerial duels and as Brentford increased the pressure with a handful of corners, he rose tallest to thwart the danger on almost every occasion. The Frenchman’s positional awareness was noticeable and he was the standout performer from an awful 45 minutes that saw Brentford waste golden chances on goal.

Despite the efforts of Varane, Brentford could have been leading 4-0 at half-time again and the substitution at the interval summarised why there’s a dilemma.

Varane has often struggled to maintain a clean bill of health during his time in Manchester and he was replaced by Harry Maguire for the second half after picking up a knock.

https://get-latest.convrse.media/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fmanchester-united-dilemma-out-contract-28914050&cre=bottom&cip=20&view=web

While the 30-year-old has been available for the majority of this season, he’s suffered foot, leg, ankle, hamstring, muscular and groin injuries since arriving from Real Madrid. The best quality is availability and United have been forced to plough on without Varane for large parts of his time at the club, just like in the second half against Brentford.

Brentford continued to knock at the door when play resumed and it was genuinely baffling they hadn’t scored by the 70th minute, with Thomas Frank looking dumbfounded.

United were even worse without Varane and they are simply a better team when he plays, which gives Ratcliffe a headache over whether to give him a new contract. There would be merit in giving him a short-term deal, but United could allow him to go for free and invest his wages into signing a new, younger centre-back worthy of starting.

His injury record must be considered. Varane has struggled with far too many fitness concerns over the last few years and that ultimately might be the deciding factor.

United would miss Varane – as they did when he was substituted – if he leaves.