Raphael Varane is set to leave Manchester United next summer with a January exit not currently under consideration.
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The World Cup winner formed a formidable partnership alongside Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford last season but has fallen down the pecking order this term.
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans has been the preferred partnership with Martinez ruled out, with Varane starting just one of United’s last eight games.
Even with Evans ruled out in the win over Luton Town ahead of the international break, Victor Lindelof was preferred at the heart of defence with Erik ten Hag reluctant to play Maguire and Varane together.
The former France international has been linked with a January move away with Bayern Munich considering a bid. But according to The Sun, Erik ten Hag will not sanction a mid-season exit.
His long-term future is less certain however with the report claiming Varane is interested in a move to Italy or Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.
Ten Hag has insisted there has been no falling out between him and the player, with tactical reasons and Maguire’s return to form causing him to lose his regular place in the side.
Absolutely not,’ Ten Hag said earlier this month when asked if there was a wider issue between him and Varane. ‘As I said, it is about tactical reasons why I chose these partnerships. I think Harry and Jonny did well.
‘What I said last year, Harry didn’t play a lot, so I was very happy with Rapha’s performances. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition.’
He continued: ‘There are moments in certain games where they (Maguire and Varane) can play together and they have already proven they can do it.
But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position.
‘Because I think Licha, obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles.
‘Then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play.’
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