Raphael Varane OUT? Manchester United choose not to activate 12-month extension on Frenchman’s contract

Rapahel Varane seems to be on his way out from Manchester United.

Raphael Varane OUT? Manchester United choose not to activate 12-month extension on Frenchman’s contract

Raphael Varane set to leave Manchester United. (Via X/@SkySportsNews)

Raphael Varane looks like he’s on his way out from Manchester United. The former Real Madrid defender has entered the final quarter of his contract and is now free to talk to foreign clubs regarding his future. It is also understood that Manchester United will not be activating their clause to extend his contract at the club for another 12 months. This means that starting January 1st, Varane is free to negotiate with other teams.

Raphael Varane was brought in to fix Manchester United’s defensive problems back in 2021. The French center-back made the move from Real Madrid to Old Trafford in a $44 million deal. However, the 30-year-old has been acting out of a back-up role for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof under Erik ten Hag‘s reign. As of now, Varane has featured in 11 games for Ten Hag’s side in the Premier League this season.

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Varane currently earns £340K per week, a sum which is not ‘justifiable’ given his fitness record and role in the squad. There are also reports which state that the club is interested in keeping him at the club on a lower wage.

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For the time being, however, United are short-staffed at the back and will call upon Varane for the upcoming games against Wigan Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur.

Varane OUT, Lindelof IN? Manchester United choose to extend Victor Lindelof’s contract

As Raphael Varane seems to be on his way out of the club, his defensive compatriot Victor Lindelof enjoys a different share of fortune. The Swede has enjoyed a better time at United under Erik ten Hag as compared to his French pairing at the back. In a similar situation, Manchester United have decided to extend Lindelof’s contract by 12 more months before he can start talking to other clubs about a potential move away from the club.

Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof (Via X/@FabrizioRomano)

In the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Lindelof has started in 18 games in all competitions for United. He arrived at United in 2017 from Benfica and has made 249 appearances in all competitions so far. He is one of the longest-serving players at the club and is considered a senior figure in the United dressing room. The 29-year-old is currently on a £6,240,000 per annum contract.

According to Erik ten Hag, United will have a relatively ‘silent’ transfer window in January. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Luke Shaw all recently signed long-term deals for United. On the other hand, Anthony Martial is set to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer. “I don’t think so” is what Ten Hag had to say when asked whether there were any potential signings on the table.

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