Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has lifted the lid on the dressing room reaction to Erik Ten Hag’s recent changes in the squad, including the removal of Harry Maguire as Man United captain.
Speaking to ESPN, Varane said the appointment of Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United new captain shows Erik Ten Hag is fearless when it comes to taking big decisions that will affect the team.
The French midfielder also added Erik Ten Hag’s wants a team with discipline, character, and vision and he has showed it himself by taking the big decision to name a new captain.
Varane also hailed Erik Ten Hag’s recent changes in the Man United squad, saying he embodies the real virtues of a manager not fearing to take decisions and own up responsibilities that come with such decisions.
”He wants a team with character and he’s the leader so he has to show it himself.
“He’s not scared to take these decisions and take that responsibility. That is what we expect from the manager. He did it so I think, with things like this, you show by example”, he said.
On the relationship of the players with Erik Ten Hag, Varane said all the players in the squad know what Erik Ten Hag wants at Manchester United from the first day he joined the club as manager.
His determination, vision, and clear goals for the team and the club has not changed and the players have a good relationship with him.
‘He knows exactly what he wants. He’s shown that determination and from the first day we’ve known exactly what we’ve had to do and where he wants to go. It’s all clear for the players and for the team and we have a good connection with the manager.’
After reports emerged Erik Ten Hag will name a new captain, Raphael Varane was among some of the big-names in the club tipped to take over from Harry Maguire.
Raphael Varane, who joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2021 is among the few members of an influential clique in United squad who pulled a big influence in the dressing room.
Other few members of the defacto group of influential squad members as revealed by Manchester United Evening News are Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and David De Gea, who was recently axed from the squad by Erik Ten Hag.
Before Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, the Portuguese was also among the big-name dressing room voices at Manchester United.
Erik Ten Hag has been ruthless and fearless on the restructuring of Manchester United which is believed to have climaxed and possibly ended with the removal of Harry Maguire as the club’s captain.
From terminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, dropping Rashford to the bench for ‘internal disciplinary issue,’ David De Gea’s ruthless and unceremonious exit, to axing Maguire as Manchester United captain, Ten Hag’s trail on Manchester United’s squad, especially on decisions that affect the big names in the squad has won him friends as well as enemies.
Cristiano Ronaldo blasted Erik Ten Hag tactics in his bombshell. David De Gea omitted him on his Manchester United farewell message while Harry Maguire expressed his disappointment with the decision to strip him of the captaincy badge.
However, despite the big changes in the squad orchestrated by the shrewd and fearless Dutchman, Varane holds Erik Ten Hag in high esteem and has disclosed he has the maximum support and cooperation of other players.
After recently retiring from international football, Raphael Varane is among top United players that have found favor under Erik Ten Hag.
He is a regular starter under the new manager and has been hailed by Ten Hag for his top defensive skills and experience far above what Harry Maguire has to offer.
The French star will be hoping for another big season with Man United as Erik Ten Hag now holds a tight grip on the squad.
