Erik ten Hag makes statement on Raphael Varane's future at Man Utd
- Reports have claimed Varane's relationship with Ten Hag has collapsed
- French defender has not started in the Premier League since September
- Bayern Munich have been touted as potential suitors
By Tom Gott
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has dismissed rumours of a clash with French centre-back Raphael Varane.
Reports have claimed Varane could look to leave United in January after a breakdown in his relationship with Ten Hag, who has not started the defender in a Premier League game since September.
Varane has come off the bench three times since his last league start and was controversially left out for the derby against Manchester City, with Ten Hag preferring Harry Maguire and 35-year-old Jonny Evans in his place.
Bayern Munich have been touted as potential suitors for Varane if he does depart United, but Ten Hag was keen to play down the situation when asked during Friday's press conference.
"Rapha Varane: I don't know what you're talking about," he told the media.
"It's rumours. Very important player, but there's internal competition and there should be at a top club, as we are. And when you decide on two players who do brilliant - Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire - you also have to make a choice for that position."
Ten Hag recently admitted he is reluctant to play Varane alongside Maguire because both players are at their best as the right-sided centre-back, naming Evans as one of his preferred left-sided options while Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined.
While Varane was a clear favourite of Ten Hag's last season and in the early weeks of the current campaign, the Frenchman missed three games through injury and has now lost his place to the resurgent Maguire.
"Internal competition" has been a regular topic of conversation for Ten Hag, who is known to be looking for another centre-back to further elevate his squad.
Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio and Benfica's Antonio Silva have both been watched regularly, while Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo remains a target.
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