"He plays one week and then he is out for three weeks" - Tim Sherwood claims Manchester United star is unreliable
Former Blackburn Rovers captain Tim Sherwood has criticized Manchester United star Raphael Varane for being unreliable. The Englishman insists that manager Erik ten Hag must give Harry Maguire more game time instead of the France international.
Maguire has struggled to break into the starting XI since the Dutch manager's arrival at Old Trafford, registering just eight Premier League starts last season. The England international's woes have continued this term as well, making just two league starts so far.
However, the centre-back was the star of the show in Manchester United's 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. He scored a brilliant header assisted by Christian Eriksen in the 72nd minute.
The Manchester United defender's performance caught the eyes of Sherwood, who said on Sky Sports:
"You can't rely on Varane. I mean Varane has won everything in the game, but I wouldn't want to rely on him. He plays for one week and then he is out for three weeks. Then he comes and plays another couple of games and then he's injured again. The durability of him is just not there. Someone like Maguire will play injured, he will play for the badge, and he will play for his personal pride."
Varane has been injury-prone since his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021. The French centre-back was on the sidelines for 95 days in his debut season at Manchester United (via Transfermarkt).
He missed 15 matches for the Red Devils last season due to injury. The former Real Madrid star has made six Premier League appearances so far this season after being sidelined for one month due to an unknown injury.
"What they have done to him" - Gabriel Agbonlahor urges former Manchester United star not to rejoin club amid shock return rumors
Former Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged David de Gea not to rejoin the club amid rumors of a potential return. According to The Sun, Manchester United are plotting a surpise move for the Spanish goalkeeper, whose contract at the club expired in the summer.
De Gea was reportedly intent on extending his deal and remaining at Old Trafford, considering the illustrious career he built at Manchester United. He was willing to take a significant pay cut to stay at the club (via The Sun).
However, the Red Devils had already shifted their sights to Andre Onana, who they signed for around £44 million while offloading the Spanish shot-stopper. Agbonlahor slammed the club for their treatment of a player many consider to be a Manchester United legend.
He said on talkSPORT:
"I wouldn't [rejoin after] what they have done to him. The way they had the contract and then took it away after the amount of years he played for Man Utd, and what he had done there. I wouldn't - but he is in Manchester at the moment and he's pictured with some of the players."
Agbonlahor added about Manchester United's hierarchy:
"Didn't they think about that before they let Onana go and they didn't bring in a better No2?"