Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has claimed that Raphael Varane is “not a great footballer” despite the Frenchman having played a key role in the Red Devils’ recent renaissance.
The Frenchman has now been at Old Trafford for over a year, having moved from Real Madrid last summer. He endured a tricky debut campaign as a Red Devil, with his inconsistent displays and recurring injuries seeing him unable to hit his top form.
Since then, the four-time Champions League winner has struck up an excellent understanding with summer arrival Lisandro Martinez. The pair have been a huge reason behind United’s run of four consecutive Premier League victories ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby.
Regardless, Scholes has claimed that Varane is still not up to the standard that current boss Erik ten Hag requires to implement his style of play at Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Overlap with Sky Bet, the former midfielder said: " Louis Van Gaal joined Manchester United and wanted to play possession-based football, but United are not that. It was always about substance over style, scoring goals and making chances rather than a pretty end product.
"The crowd get nervous when the goalkeeper tries to play a ten-yard pass, that’s not a Manchester United philosophy, that’s Barcelona or Ajax. With Erik ten Hag, he’s stumbled across it.
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"After the Brentford game, he realised he didn’t have the players to play that way, he knew he had to go more direct. Raphael Varane, great a player as he’s been, is not a great footballer.
"David De Gea is not a great footballer. So, play to your strengths, which for United is the attacking players, and you have to admire the new manager for playing that way [more direct]."
Varane, 29, has made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils since swapping the Santiago Bernabeu for Old Trafford - just 22 of those coming in the Premier League last term. He was originally signed for £34m and penned a four-year deal with United.
The centre-back continued his impressive form over the international break having captained France to a 2-0 Nations League victory over Austria, whilst he was left on the bench for Les Bleus for their defeat at the hands of Denmark.
United boss Ten Hag was previously full of praise for Varane following his performance in the side’s Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: “With Rapha Varane there as the leader, he puts everyone in the right position, he fits really good together with Licha [Lisandro] Martinez and also the two full-backs did their job really good.”
