24 November 2023 , 09:18
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Raphael Varane has been warned he is facing a desperate fight to save his Manchester United career.
World Cup winner Varane has fallen behind Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof in the central defensive pecking order at United this season. Last season, Varane and Lisandro Martinez – who is currently sidelined after surgery – were Erik ten Hag's first-choice partnership at the back.
But injuries and poor form have seen Varane, 30, consigned to the bench for United's recent matches, with Maguire and Evans preferred by Ten Hag. Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender William Gallas believes his fellow Frenchman now needs to prove his worth if he wants to save his United career.
“I think Varane is currently on the United bench because he hasn’t been at his best,” said Gallas. “When you play for a top club like United, you have to put in really good performances in every single game.
“If Erik ten Hag isn’t picking him and prefers other players, that tells you that his game hasn’t been at the highest level this season. Varane knows that he has to perform in every single game. He knows there are other players that are pushing him.
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“If I was in Varane’s situation, then I would fight. I would be giving everything to get my place in the team back. At training, he needs to be the best. He needs to work hard. The season is long. Varane has to be patient and, when he gets an opportunity, he has to take it with both hands.
“This will be the first time in a long time that Varane has found himself on the bench. I think he needs to show his manager how good he is and that starts with being the best in training.”
Raphael Varane has fallen out of favour (Getty Images)Evans is currently injured, which has opened the door for Varane to come back against Everton tomorrow. But Ten Hag is likely to pick Victor Lindelof to partner Maguire, keeping four-time Champions League winner Varane - who is likely to leave United next summer - out in the cold.
Gallas, speaking to Genting Casino, said: “The manager picks the players he wants to because he thinks those players give him the best chance of winning matches.”
United's trip to Goodison Park on Sunday is the first of three huge away games for Ten Hag's side. On Wednesday, they travel to Istanbul for a must-win game against Galatasaray to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16.
After that, Ten Hag takes his side to top-four rivals Newcastle, who dumped holders United out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this month. United will be without Christian Eriksen for a few weeks, but Ten ag is hopeful striker Rasmus Hojlund can return to face the Toffees.
"Christian will take a little bit longer," said Ten Hag. "It will take some weeks until he will return. Rasmus, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we're working on that. We're not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad."