Raphael Varane commends Erik ten Hag for his bold decision to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy, proving that he is unafraid of making significant calls.
As the Red Devils head into the 2023-24 season, Bruno Fernandes has been appointed as the new permanent skipper, taking over from Maguire, who held the captaincy previously.
With Ten Hag’s move to remove the armband from the world’s most expensive defender, it appears that Maguire’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain.
Varane appreciates the manager’s assertiveness, as it demonstrates his clear authority and leadership in the team.
World Cup winner Varane has told ESPN: “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 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.”
Fernandes is one of several leaders in the United camp, with Varane also sitting in that talent pool alongside the likes of Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez.
The Frenchman added on the Red Devils requiring players to step up all over the field: “We need players with character and personality.
If you want to win big trophies you need that kind of character. The difference between a good team and a top team is sometimes something mental. We need to believe, we need determination and the character of the players is something important.”