Erik ten Hag's Harry Maguire comments show just how much Manchester United need Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane has endured a difficult few months at Manchester United and the defender's future is growing increasingly uncertain.

Varane has started just one of United's last 12 matches across all competitions, most recently alongside Harry Maguire in the 1-0 Champions League win at FC Copenhagen at the end of October. Maguire has since usurped the French international with Erik ten Hag keen to keep defenders on their natural side to aid his side's build-up.

Since that win over the Danish side, speculation regarding Varane's future has intensified and The Independent reported on Thursday that United would be open to offers for the 30-year-old. That does shut off the prospect of a comeback, though, and the former Real Madrid man need only look as far as Maguire for proof of that.

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United had accepted a £30million bid from West Ham for Maguire in the summer and his exit looked inevitable. But after a deal fell through, the defender vowed to continue fighting for his place and Ten Hag insisted the chance would come back in August.

"We need a good squad," the Reds boss said. "We have four good centre halves - five including Luke Shaw - and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season.

"All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry is here. He has to fight for his position - as everyone in the squad has to - because we have constructed a squad with two [players] for every position and we need it.

"It's up to him. He knows what I expect from him. I've been here now for a year and you know what I expect from a centre half. And he can