Pranav Kannan
Erik ten Hag comments on the fitness of Manchester United star Raphael Varane
Speaking in an interview ahead of the game against Brighton and Hove Albion as quoted by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag comments on the fitness status of talented Red Devils defender Raphel Varane ahead of the season opener.
The talented French centre-back joined Manchester United from Real Madrid at the beginning of last season. His first season in English football has been rather mixed with injuries not allowing him to play to his potential.
A fit Varane offers a lot to Manchester United. He is a world-class defender who can be a rock at the back for the Red Devils, and this season is expected to be when the French World cup winner shows what his ability is.
Injuries were a constant menace for Varane last season. Just when it seemed like he was building up to speed, some injury or the other meant he was then forced to miss out on the next few games and his rhythm was disrupted.
It remains to be seen how Varane copes up this season and how his fitness holds up. Ten hag will be banking on him being fit to provide solid competition to Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez along with Victor Lindelof.
Speaking about the fitness of Varane, Erik ten Hag was optimistic about his defender’s fitness going into the new campaign.
“100 per cent convinced by that. We built him during pre-season really carefully (with) an individual programme. The last three weeks, I think, every session he is on the pitch and I am really happy with that. You see him growing, his fitness levels, his performance levels. So I am really happy with that. In the moment Raphael will be fit. It is a huge strength for the squad and for the team.”
A huge season is on the horizon for Manchester United and Raphael Varane. Both the club and the player are coming off rather disappointing seasons and will want to get back to where they belong very soon.
It is still not clear who the starting pairing for the central defence is in Erik ten Hag’s mind and if Raphael Varane features in the starting 11 but considering his talent, it is only a matter of time before he breaks into it.
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It remains to be seen how the new campaign pans out under Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils will be hoping that they can compete for trophies this time around. To do that, Varane will have to be at his best and ten Hag will be hoping that’s how it is.
