Manchester United defender Raphael Varane proved against FC Copenhagen why he hasn’t been starting of late, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor. The former Aston Villa skipper said the Frenchman’s shortcomings were there for all to see after he came off the bench.
United were forced into an early change in Denmark on Wednesday when Jonny Evans was struck down with an injury in the 15th minute. Varane was called upon ahead of Victor Lindelof to replace the Northern Ireland star.
But United conceded four goals in the next 75 minutes to suffer a damaging 4-3 defeat. Varane had started the last two Champions League matches but that hasn’t been the case in the Premier League.
His last start in the top flight was in September against Crystal Palace. Erik ten Hag has preferred Maguire and Evans in the absence of Lisandro Martinez, who will miss the rest of 2023 with a foot injury.
Click here to join our Man Utd WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive United news.
Read more… Man Utd suffer nightmare Copenhagen loss as livid Hojlund rips into team-mate
Ten Hag has been questioned for snubbing Varane in recent weeks. But Agbonlahor says he was proven right on Wednesday.
He said on talkSPORT: “There’s a reason why Varane’s not starting, and Jonny Evans and Maguire are playing. I called it months ago that Varane is not the player that Manchester United fans think he is.
“He had an amazing career at Real Madrid – Real Madrid don’t let top players go. They let Casemiro and Varane go because they’re not at the top level anymore.
“Yesterday it showed, he came on, didn’t know where he was. He could have given a penalty away when he came on but Maguire did [instead]. The last goal as well, nowhere to be seen.”
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Don’t miss…
Man Utd new boy Rasmus Hojlund aims dig at Marcus Rashford after costly red card[INTERVIEW]
Chelsea board face humiliation as £90m Romelu Lukaku blazes a trail in Europe[OPINION]
Arsenal may already have player to fulfil striker issues as loan star shines[COMMENT]
United started the game strongly and were leading 1-0 when Evans was substituted. Ten Hag doesn’t know the severity of his injury yet and was disappointed to lose the 35-year-old.
The Dutchman said: “I’m not sure in this moment. He has to come off. I think it was a pity because he was part of it from that good part in the game where we were controlling, very composed and calm, it’s the way I see my team.
“Yeah, but he had to come off and I think still we are in control, still we are leading. So we have to see how bad it is.
“It’s not about 11 players. We have more players and we have good players, so we have good replacements to solve that.”
Source: Read Full Article