‘It was not good’ – Raphael Varane lifts lid on Ten Hag bust-up at Man Utd that saw him secretly banished for two months
RAPHAEL VARANE has lifted the lid on his bust-up with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, resulting in a secret banishment for two months.
Varane, 31, spent three years with the Red Devils after a shock move from Real Madrid in 2021.
Big things were expected of the French World Cup winner, who won three titles and four Champions Leagues in Spain.
But Varane’s time at Old Trafford was blighted by injuries and a severe dip in form.
He ended up playing 95 times in three years before exiting last summer for Italian minnows Como.
And Varane, who retired in September after one game for his new club after picking up a serious knee injury, has now lifted the lid on a mega clash with former United boss Ten Hag.
The Dutchman was sacked by United earlier this season after a dismal start to the season.
He clashed with several players during his time at the club, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
Varane has now claimed that Ten Hag was constantly at war with at least one senior star during his time at United.
And on one occasion, it was Varane who felt his wrath.
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The pair had a heated argument around November 2023 while discussing United’s form and set-up.
And afterwards, Varane found himself dropped from the team for two months.
Ten Hag publicly declared it was for “tactical reasons”, leading to questions over Varane’s fitness and suitability in the XI.
But the Frenchman claims it was merely the result of voicing his opinion to his temperamental boss.
Varane told The Athletic: “It’s hard to find the right words, it was very tense at times.
“Sometimes he made an effort to listen to the players’ feedback. Sometimes he made decisions without listening.
“So there were ups and downs. It was complicated at times. He always needed an example of a player who was alone the entire time he was at Manchester.
“He did that with at least one important player on the team. He was always in conflict with certain leaders of the group, that is his way of managing.
“We had a robust discussion. We told each other some truths but then I didn’t play again for almost two months.
“I said I didn’t agree with certain ways of doing things regarding the relationship between him and the team. It wasn’t something that I thought was good for the team because some players weren’t satisfied.
“It was not good in terms of the relationship with the coach. He said, ‘OK I heard what you said’, and after that I didn’t play.
“I also have to recognise what was good. He gave me the peace of mind to come back from my injury to play in the FA Cup final.
“He was counting on me, that was very positive, it allowed me to play my role in the team.
“But I’m surprised he stayed (for the new season). The connection with the group no longer existed.”
Raphael Varane's career stats
- Lens, 2010-2011: 24 games, 2 goals
- Real Madrid, 2011-2021: 360 games, 17 goals
- Man Utd, 2021-2024: 95 games, 2 goals
- Como, 2024: 1 game, 0 goals
- France, 2013-2022: 93 games, 5 goals
Trophies
- Real Madrid: La Liga x3, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup x3, Champions League x4, Uefa Super Cup x4, Club World Cup x4
- Man Utd: FA Cup, Carabao Cup
- France: World Cup, Nations League