“Let’s be truthful…” – Premier League legend believes Man United star has declined

One Manchester United player has received criticism from a Premier League legend who believes he is past his best.

United have had a difficult second campaign under Ten Hag this year, being eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages and are currently in sixth place in the Premier League, heading towards the tail end of the season.

Raphaël Varane is one player who joined in 2021/22 and has since played 93 games for the club.

Varane formed a crucial partnership with Lisandro Martinez during Ten Hag’s first season in charge, which saw the Reds finish third in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup.

However, the Frenchman’s campaign this year has been interrupted by both injury and spells out of the team due to the preferences of Ten Hag.

With INEOS taking charge at Old Trafford, there is doubt over Varane’s long-term future at the club after reports revealed that the club would not be extending his current contract but instead looking to renegotiate terms with the defender.

Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton has suggested that Varane is not the player that he once was.

Sutton weighed in on the four-time Champions League winner’s situation on the BBC’s 606 podcast, saying: “Who have you really missed though? Shaw and Martinez? Varane? Come on, Varane isn’t the player he was. He’s not mobile anymore, let’s be truthful.” 

Whilst Varane might not be the player that United signed from Real Madrid anymore, the French defender is still excellent at defending the box and is an experienced head in the changing room at Old Trafford.

“With United likely to be experiencing a large overhaul of the squad this summer, keeping Varane could be a sensible move from INEOS as the defender still has important qualities that can benefit the team.