Manchester United's training squad ahead of their return to Europa League action does not include Raphael Varane.
16.09.2022 - 15:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford last month will be recognised as the turning point in Erik ten Hag's tenure.
After watching his side lose their opening two Premier League matches, conceding six goals in the process, the United manager made the brave decision to mix things up for the visit of their fiercest rivals. He made four changes to the starting line-up that had started the 4-0 embarrassment at Brentford nine days earlier, opting to hook the likes of Luke Shaw and Cristiano Ronaldo.
They were brave calls, even if the duo had failed to pull up any trees against Brentford. Shaw was replaced at left-back by the unproven Tyrell Malacia and fellow youngster Anthony Elanga came in to replace Ronaldo, forcing a slight tactical rejig up front.
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As well as those two dropping out, captain Harry Maguire also made way, but that was at the expense of the experienced Raphael Varane, who had stepped off the bench at Brentford at half-time with damage already done. Varane joined summer signing Lisandro Martinez in the heart of the defence and the duo, ever since, have formed a reliable and exciting partnership.
Following Thursday night's 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, United have won all five matches that Varane has started this season, compared to the three defeats they have suffered in the three games that he hasn't started. His importance is telling and United's fans are finally starting to see exactly why former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was so intent on adding him to his squad just over a year ago.
United were desperate to add a world-class centre-back to their ranks and find a suitable
Manchester United's training squad ahead of their return to Europa League action does not include Raphael Varane.
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