RIO FERDINAND has spoken out on Raphael Varane’s axing and claimed the Manchester United ace’s head must be “scrambled”.
The Frenchman has fallen down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order, with veteran Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof preferred to partner the resurgent Harry Maguire.
Varane, 30, suffered an injury against Nottingham Forest earlier this season that kept him on the sidelines.
But the defender’s battle to win a place back on the Man Utd starting XI has not been going to plan.
The World Cup winner has lost his spot and is now behind Maguire, Lindelof and Evans.
United legend Ferdinand believes the ex-Real Madrid star’s head must be all over the place.
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He said on his Vibe with FIVE Youtube show: “We don’t know. If he’s on the bench, you think he must be fit.
“In my mind, when you’re on the bench you can play – because you could have to come on in the first minute if someone gets injured.
“So if you’re fit enough to travel and get on the bench, you’re fit to play. So I don’t know what the reason is.
“But I know that Varane is waking up and his head has got scramblers going off it in, because he’s thinking ‘I’ve banged out five Champions League medals, I’ve played an integral part in all of those.
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” ‘I’ve played with the best players in the world, I’ve come to Man United and Jonny Evans is starting in front of me.'”
Evans signed a one-year-deal with the Red Devils after leaving Leicester as a free agent at the end of last season.
The ex-West Brom star chose to return to Old Trafford to keep himself fit but ended up impressing Ten Hag during pre-season and the Dutchman wanted to sign him.
Meanwhile, Varane cost United £40million in 2021 having been a key part of Real Madrid’s success.
He made 360 appearances in a decade and won four Champions League and three La Liga’s.
In the last five league games, Varane has played just 18 minutes.
Despite being benched for the Red Devil’s narrow victory over Luton Town on Saturday, the defender did not play even after Evans’ injury in the United’s loss to Copenhagen.
He has reportedly been told that he was dropped due to tactical reasons.
The French international is said to have accepted the decision from the boss and is ready to fight for his spot.
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Under the manager, there has always been a way back for players who have fallen out of favour.
Maguire is now a regular back in the team despite looking like he would leave in the summer, while Scott McTominay is also starting regularly after looking like he was bound for a move away.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
