13 November 2023 , 08:18
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Raphael Varane is accepting Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's decision to bench him in favour of Harry Maguire.
Varane has started just one of the Red Devils' last eight games in all competitions, with the Frenchman plummeting down the pecking order. The likes of Maguire, Victor Lindelof and even Jonny Evans have moved ahead in Ten Hag's plans.
Instead, Varane has been forced to be content with substitute appearances, playing only 18 minutes in the last five Premier League games. He was called upon to see out the win over Luton on Saturday, replacing Sergio Reguilon in the backline.
While the former World Cup winner has endured a difficult season, The Athletic report that Varane has 'accepted' Ten Hag's decision to sideline him is a tactical one. Figures close to the defender also point out that there is always a way back for players cast out by Ten Hag.
That is evidenced by Maguire, who was stripped of the captaincy in the summer, but has played all 90 minutes in the last eight games in succession. Ten Hag has frequently been forced to defend his decision to select the much-maligned England star over Varane.
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The Dutchman faced questions again ahead of the narrow win over Luton, which has eased the pressure on him following a miserable start to the season. And he insisted that the move to select Maguire is down to form.
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Raphael Varane is said to accept Erik ten Hag's decision to bench him“The build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position because I think Licha (Lisandro Martinez), obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed," he said.
"But they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles, then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play. Maguire is doing very well at the moment, and I am very happy with that.
"As I always said, Maguire can do the job — and now he is showing he can do the job. Rapha Varane always played the games he was available because he was doing that well. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition.”
Maguire has been delighted to earn a run in the team, something that is set to continue after the internatiional break. And he insisted that the competition at Old Trafford is pushing him to raise his standards.
"I had to bide my time and be patient. I am really enjoying my football and I really enjoy playing for this club. I was willing to stay and fight for my place and we have four or five top international centre-backs at this club and the competition for places is really high," he said.
"I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn't get as many opportunities as I would have liked. This club demands competition for places and that is what we have in my position."