'Raphael Varane Has Been Terrible Since Coming To Manchester United. He’s Got Off The Hook'

Tim Sherwood has urged Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick to drop Raphael Varane from his starting XI.

The Reds completed a highly-anticipated move for the French centre-back last summer for a fee believed to be around £34 million and since then, many have been impressed by the four-time Champions League winner's immediate impact.

But while speaking about United's defensive issues on Sky Sports this weekend, former Tottenham Hospur and Aston Villa manager Sherwood has sensationally claimed that Varane has been "terrible" since joining the ranks at Old Trafford.

In fact, the 53-year-old believes Victor Lindelof is a better partner for Harry Maguire at the back for United.

“It’s about the best partnership,” he said on Soccer Saturday. “Harry Maguire is better with Lindelof. We talk about Varane, he’s got off the hook. He’s been terrible since he’s been at the club.

“Maguire wants to come and defend the halfway line and you’ve got Varane who wants to defend up there, so they’re not level with each other."

Sherwood added: “I think when Lindelof played the other night, they looked better like that so it’s about finding the best partnership.

"But then the manager’s got to be strong to leave out a player who has won the Champions League and the World Cup.”

Ralf Rangnick certainly has a different opinion to Sherwood. Earlier this week, the German insisted that the former Real Madrid defender is on course to becoming one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

When asked about Varane's suitability to becoming a potential captain at Old Trafford, Rangnick said: "Well, I don't know, it is difficult to say right now.

"I am happy that he has been continuously training, having had no injuries. This was probably his biggest issue in the first weeks and months that he has always had to deal with some injuries.

"After having trained or played two or three games he was out for another six weeks.

"So, I think we took the right decision to let him rest and make sure the injury was causing no issues anymore. Right now he seems to have adopted, unfortunately he couldn't play against Brighton, he was supposed to play, but then he had some stomach problems.

"For me, it is most important that he stays in good health and that he doesn't get any further, most of all, muscle injuries. If that happens, he can obviously develop into one of the best centre-backs in the league.

Rangnick added: "About the captaincy, we have a captain with Harry Maguire. He will be the captain until the end of the season for sure. What will happen in the next one, two, or three years? I don't know.

"That is not of any importance. For me, it is what will happen in the next three months."