Raphael Varane overlooks Cristiano Ronaldo to name true Man Utd player of the year

The Man Utd player of the season award will be a two-horse race, and Raphael Varane reckons it should go to David de Gea, not Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils entered the season with high hopes of challenging the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool atop the Premier League. The triple arrival of Ronaldo, Varane and Jadon Sancho was met with great optimism among the fanbase. However, that trio were powerless to prevent United’s remarkable decline.

Manchester United currently sit sixth in the table and are on course for their lowest ever points total in the Premier League era.

That record currently stands at the 64 they accrued under David Moyes in 2013-14. United currently have 58 points to their name and must win their two remaining matches to avoid setting a new low.

But despite the misery that has been their season, there have been two notable highs.

Ronaldo has 24 goals to his name in all competitions and bagged vital hat-tricks against Tottenham and Norwich. The Portuguese icon is getting stronger as the season goes on with nine goals in his last six matches.

Elsewhere, David de Gea has recaptured the type of form that once saw him labelled the world’s best goalkeeper.

The Spaniard, 31, has not given Dean Henderson a look in and but for his highlight reel of saves, United wouldn’t even be on course for a Europa League berth.

Now, summer recruit Varane has weighed in on who he believes should win the player of the season award.

When asked by the PA if De Gea has been United’s best player this year, Varane said (via the Mirror): “I agree.

“David is having an amazing season. He helped us a lot. I think he has experience and he’s an amazing goalkeeper.”

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