Paul Scholes explains why Erik ten Hag can’t rely on Raphael Varane after Man Utd’s dismal defeat vs Copenhagen

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has explained why Erik ten Hag cannot reply on defender Raphael Varane.

Back in 2021, Frenchman Varane left Real Madrid for United in a deal worth a reported £41 million.

Since then, he has often been one of the first names on the team sheet when fully fit.

However, United boss Ten Hag has opted to play the likes of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans in recent matches.

Maguire was close to an exit during the summer transfer window after being stripped of the captaincy whilst Evans was signed as a free transfer.

After Wednesday night’s dramatic 4-3 defeat against FC Copenhagen left United’s Champions League campaign in disarray, United legend Scholes spoke about Varane.

He told TNT Sports: “I actually think he’s playing Maguire and Evans at centre-half because he thinks they’re the two best ball-playing centre-halves. Which in itself is a bit of a worry.

“How can he [ten Hag] pick a settled back four? We saw Varane play against Galatasaray and he was all over the place.”

Scholes continued: “Even Casemiro when he played he looked a bit loose and not playing his position well.

“These are two players who have won the European Cup five times [Varane has won it on four occasions], if you can’t rely on these type of players, where do you go? You can see where he’s gone, back to Jonny Evans who was a free transfer!”

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Scholes then picked out Varane’s loss of pace as one of the reasons he has been overlooked.

He said: “I think whichever centre-back he plays, I think they have to play counter-attacking football because none of them are that quick.

“Varane was quick and now, is he losing his legs a little bit? They have to rely on that pace a little bit.”

After their defeat against Copenhagen, United will now have to win against Galatasaray in Istanbul to have a chance of reaching the next round.

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