Here’s Richard Tanner to set the scene: The Cristiano Ronaldo case may have dominated Manchester United’s summer, but his former Real Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane is also under scrutiny. Varane’s signing last summer – along with the arrivals of Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho – was hailed as one of the final pieces in the title puzzle for the club, but it proved to be anything but as United slumped to their worst ever Premier League season. terms of grades if not position. Far from tightening up defensively, United ended up conceding as many goals as they scored – 57 – their worst defensive record for more than 30 years. Varane’s performances on the pitch proved to be as inconsistent as his appearance record. The France international missed 20 of 49 games in all competitions and, crucially, was absent for almost half of the 38 Premier League games, starting just 20 and coming on as a substitute in one. Instead of building a solid understanding with defensive partner Harry Maguire, United looked more vulnerable than ever with Maguire’s form suffering badly. Perhaps unfairly, the United captain has been singled out for most of the criticism, with Varane’s very impressive displays seemingly escaping much of the flack, although he has admitted in the build-up that, along with every player, he needs a lot of improvement over last season. . Eric Ten Hag’s decision to sign Lisandro Martinez from former club Ajax is understood to have put pressure on Maguire, given the Argentina international plays on the left side of the central pairing, where Maguire has played for most of his career. But Varane is also under pressure unless he can improve his injury record. Every successful team is built on a solid back line. The Ten Hag have already indicated that Maguire will remain as their captain, he is naturally right-footed and much more reliable when it comes to injuries. The feeling is that Maguire will play when he hits and put his body on the line while Varane will err on the side of caution. Ten Hag is well aware of Varane’s frequent injury absences and revealed that he and his coaching staff have put the 2018 World Cup winner on a special individual fitness program in the build-up to ensure he is properly fit for the start season and hopefully stay fit. Asked how confident he was of getting the best out of Varane, Ten Hag sounded a positive note. “Very,” he said. “I’m 100 percent convinced of that. We built him up during pre-season very carefully, with an individual program and in the last three weeks I think he’s been on the pitch in every session and I’m very happy with that. . “You see him grow, his fitness levels and his performance levels, so I’m really happy with that. If Rafael is fit, he is a huge strength for the team and the team.” Ten Haag made it clear that one of the reasons he bought Martinez was because he likes left-footed players on the left of his defense – and right-footed players on the right. “Left-footed players are better oriented on the left side,” he said. “In possession you can create better angles, but also out of possession the orientation is better, easier and more comfortable to go out, for example to cover the back.” The Dutchman is well aware that if new boy Martinez – who has a reputation as a fearless hard tackler and good on the ball – can settle well then he has to choose between Maguire and Varane as his regular partner with Victor. Lindelof and Eric Bailly are also pushing for game time which may well come in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions. But he made it clear that he will be driven by performances and not by name, honor and fame. “I like this problem,” he said. “I think that’s what we’ve been talking about – we need that competition in this team. “At the beginning of the season [selection] it’s all open, but apart from competition, we’re also going into a long season with a lot of games, so we need a lot of players, quality players, to cover all the games. I can tell you in advance that no one can play all the games” Ten Haag certainly has plenty of competition in defence. In addition to five centre-backs, Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will battle it out at right back, while new boy Tyrell Malacia will challenge Luke Shaw for the left flank. Whether he will help improve United’s defensive record remains to be seen. Furthermore, he believes he can help Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho rediscover their best form after lackluster seasons and possibly secure an England spot in time for the World Cup in Qatar. “Once again, don’t look back, look forward,” he said. “I see the potential with many players in this team and, yes, I am convinced that I can develop the team. First develop the team and then we will see individuals develop.” He is realistic about the requirement for United not only to win games but also in style, warning that sometimes winning “ugly” will be necessary. “They always want to play brilliant football,” he said. “That’s why I’m here and I love it. You want to win and you want to win in a certain way, so be proactive, brave, adventurous. “I think that’s part of the Manchester United culture and we want to bring that in. But at the end of the day, if you can’t win in a good way, in a fun way, you still have to win. That’s the mindset and the attitude we bring.” Ronaldo has just 45 minutes of pre-season football after a family problem prevented him from joining the squad on their pre-season tour, which followed news that he wanted to leave Old Trafford for a team that could offer him Champions League football. . So far there have been no takers, so it looks like it will have to eat humble pie. Having had a full week of training, the Ten Hag says he has been pleased with the work he has done and may well start him against Brighton in the absence of the rejuvenated Anthony Martial through injury. “How do I feel starting the season with Ronaldo? I am very happy,” said Ten Haag. “I told you before: we planned with him for the season. We have a top striker and I am very happy that he is here, he is in the team and we are sticking to the plan. It has worked very well.”
