Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that Raphael Varane has to fight back for his starting spot after losing his place to Harry Maguire over the past few games.
The Frenchman was an undisputed starter for Ten Hag when fit last season, but the scenario has now changed with Maguire preferred over him for the right centre-back role.
The Dutch tactician has been reluctant to play him from left centre-back and clearly believes Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are better options at the moment.
In an interview with BeIN Sports, Ten Hag said that Maguire took his chance when Varane was injured and hinted that the latter has to fight back to reclaim his starting spot.
He said: “He’s taken his chance, but that will always come. We were just talking about players who were injured, so he took his chance in the moment Raphael Varane was absent.”
“I think that is normal internal competition at top clubs when you have a squad. When your moment is there, you have to take it and the others have to fight back.”
When asked whether Maguire and Varane are competing for one spot, Ten Hag said that they can play together, but he prefers a left centre back who is more comfortable on his left foot.
He added: “They can play together in certain games. But I thought from the start when I came here, I want a player on the left side of my defence who is comfortable on his left foot because it gives you more and better angles. That is the reason I explained from the start.”
“That’s why we brought in Licha Martinez, to have that left foot. But we have [other] players who can fill that as well, like Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw. They are all capable of playing that position and it fits our way of playing and my philosophy of how I see the game.”
Varane has been a regular substitute over the past few games. Maguire was partnered by Evans for the Manchester derby last month. Ten Hag revealed that the decision was purely tactical.
The manager followed up by continuing with the same partnership for multiple games before Evans’ injury. Against Luton Town, Lindelof was preferred to accompany Maguire in the starting XI.
Judging by Ten Hag’s interview, we won’t be surprised if Shaw gets the nod alongside Maguire this weekend. He has been in full training over the past couple of weeks after his muscle injury.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
