No Longer The First Choice, Raphael Varane Intends To Leave Manchester United

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane. (Twitter @ManUtd)

JAKARTA - Defender Raphael Varane is no longer the first choice at Manchester United. He started to be eliminated by the presence of Jonny Evans. He is also considering leaving MU.

Varane has performed brilliantly with MU this season. The Red Devils' success in winning the Carabao Cup cannot be separated from his contribution at the heart of the defense. In fact, he was able to get rid of captain Harry Maguire who was forced to sit on the bench.

However, this season he failed to show consistency and played under-performing. The former Real Madrid defender has not started since MU lost to Crystal Palace 1-0 last September.

In fact, Varane showed his displeasure when he didn't play in the big match against Manchester City at Old Trafford last month. In the Manchester Derby match, MU lost badly 3-0.

Varane is no longer Manager Erik ten Hag's first choice. Moreover, he did not show his best performance since his partner, Lisandro Martinez, was no longer playing due to a long injury.

His position has also been shifted by Evans, who was re-recruited by MU after being released by Leicester City.

Not only Varane, his colleague from Madrid, Casemiro, may also want to leave MU. Casemiro began to feel uncomfortable following MU's poor performance.

Apart from that, Casemiro is starting to get injured easily. The Brazilian national team defender is also often absent due to violations, whether it is a red card or an accumulation of yellow cards.

Varane actually hopes to leave MU in January 2024 when the player transfer window opens. Apart from him, winger Jadon Sancho will be released by the three-time Champions League champion.

Even though he doesn't mind letting Varane go, Ten Hag will not let the former French national team defender leave in January 2024.

The reason is that MU lacks defenders because many of them are injured, so Ten Hag still has to defend Varane.

The 30-year-old defender appears to have accepted the club's decision to keep him until the end of the season.

The question is where will he join? Madrid has definitely rejected Varane's return.

Meanwhile, Varane's offer from Saud Arabia was less attractive. He may move to Italy because several Serie A clubs want to sign him.

Juventus needs a center back and Varane could be a target for the club. Apart from that, Inter Milan is looking for a defender after being left by Milan Skriniar who moved to Paris Saint-Germain.