World Cup and four-time Champions League winner Varane speaks openly about the highs and lows of playing for Madrid and United

At the time, Ten Hag insisted he had no problem with the World Cup winner and said his absence was down to "tactical reasons" but now, in a fascinating interview with The Athletic, the defender has given his take on being dropped. "We had a robust discussion. We told each other some truths, but then I didn’t play for almost two months," he said.

Raphaël Varane has said he was "surprised" by the Manchester United's hierachy's decision to offer Erik ten Hag a new contract last summer as his bond with the squad was deeply fractured by that point.