Former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has slammed Erik ten Hag’s clueless management skills at Old Trafford.
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Varane opened up about his career and his relationship with Erik ten Hag.
Varane’s retirement came unexpectedly in August 2024 after suffering a knee injury just 23 minutes into his debut for Serie A side Como.
Varane spent a decade at Real Madrid, playing alongside legends such as Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema.
He described the club’s winning mentality as a mix of humility and controlled arrogance, with players instinctively adapting to different in-game situations.
At Madrid, Varane said, communication on the pitch was minimal because everyone knew their roles. “We were an instinctive team. That’s why I consider it an art. It’s not robotic.”
In contrast, he found Man United’s tactical approach under Ten Hag to be rigid, with little room for player autonomy. “It was the opposite [of Madrid], with fairly rigid patterns of play defined in advance. There was very little flexibility.”
Varane also noted a stark difference in how both clubs were structured. “At Madrid, they have a defined way of doing things at every level. At Manchester, it was not clear or defined enough—how to recruit, how to play, how to communicate. There were too many people involved in decision-making, so we didn’t know who was making the decisions.”
While Varane’s first season at United saw him as a key figure in defence, his playing time diminished significantly under Ten Hag in his second campaign.
Despite being available, he was sidelined for nearly two months without a clear explanation. “We had a robust discussion. I said I didn’t agree with certain ways of doing things regarding the relationship between him and the team.”
He also suggested that Ten Hag’s leadership style involved isolating key players as a means of asserting control. “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—Ronaldo, Sancho, and others.”
Varane admitted he was surprised Ten Hag was retained at the end of the season, stating, “The connection with the group no longer existed.”
Despite the challenges, Varane ended his United career on a high, playing a key role in the club’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. “The players came together with a clear idea of how to play,” he recalled. “We managed to forget everything negative and be 100 per cent in this match.”
His departure from United was ultimately a mutual decision. “I wanted to stay, but I didn’t know who the coach would be or what the squad would look like. There was no clarity, so it was difficult to commit.”
Now adjusting to life beyond professional football, Varane remains passionate about the game, though he acknowledges nothing can replace the adrenaline of competing at the highest level.
His work with Como reflects his desire to give back to the sport while helping young athletes navigate their careers.
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Raj Dholakia
Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
