Tim Sherwood slams ‘bang average’ Manchester United defender Raphael Varane
Tim Sherwood has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United defender Raphael Varane who he has branded ‘bang average’. Now into his third season at Old Trafford, the experienced centre-half has shown only glimpses of the composure and authority that marked him out as one of Europe’s best defenders over the course of his trophy-laden Real Madrid career.
Varane looked to have formed a promising partnership with Lisandro Martinez last season but the pair have been hit with injury problems so far this term. Maintaining his fitness has been a constant struggle for the 30-year-old in recent seasons and even when fit Sherwood argues he has been a disappointment.
Sherwood’s Criticism of Varane
He told William Hill: ‘One player that really annoys me is Raphael Varane. I think he is getting away with it. He is never fit and when he is fit he’s bang average. We all know he’s had a great career but at the same time everyone is happy to jump on the back of Harry Maguire whilst Varane just gets away with it.
‘The ones who play more football are simply more durable and they can play week in week out, Varane seems to play once and then be injured again for two weeks. He seems to be picking his games, but when he plays he’s not that brilliant anyway.’
Sherwood on Ten Hag’s Management
Sherwood, meanwhile, believes Ten Hag cannot blame off-field distractions and the uncertainty surrounding United’s ownership for a mediocre start to the new season. He added: ‘When people talk about the Glazers being the problem at Manchester United it’s almost like a get out of jail free card,” Sherwood said. “It doesn’t matter about the owners or the chief executive. What matters is that their set of players got outplayed by a team towards the bottom of the league, and that has happened multiple times this season. That is down to the manager.
‘You’re always going to win games when you have the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford at your disposal. But the manager’s job is to improve players and he’s not improving anyone. You only have to look at Rashford’s recent England performance compared to his club form to see that.’
Conclusion
Tim Sherwood has been vocal in his criticism of Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, branding him ‘bang average’ and claiming he is getting away with it due to Harry Maguire’s presence in the team. Sherwood also believes Ten Hag cannot blame off-field distractions and the uncertainty surrounding United’s ownership for a mediocre start to the new season, instead pointing out that it is down to the manager’s inability to improve players.
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