MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 02:59:51| >> :120:7020:7020:

Manchester United's Raphael Varane 'not considering Saudi Arabia move'

Man United's Raphael Varane 'not considering Saudi Arabia move'
© Reuters
Manchester United's Raphael Varane is reportedly not considering a move to the Saudi Pro League in January, despite having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane has reportedly decided against a move to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The 30-year-old made the switch from Real Madrid to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a productive first season on the red side of Manchester.

Varane helped the Red Devils to Champions League qualification in the Premier League and an EFL Cup success, earning Erik ten Hag silverware during his first campaign in Manchester.

However, the 2018 World Cup winner has seen his game time limited in the opening months of 2023-24, starting just five matches for United in the top flight, scoring once.

According to L'Equipe, Varane is not in line for a transfer to the Saudi Pro League in the New Year or the summer, despite his current situation at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane pictured in November 2023© Reuters

The report claims that a switch to link up with former Los Blancos teammates Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad has been mooted, although the centre-back is said to be against such an arrangement.

It is understood that Varane and his representatives do not perceive a move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar as an option at this stage in the player's career.

Openly known is the Frenchman's desire to retire at either Man United, Real Madrid or boyhood club Lens, so a move to Middle East at the age of 30 is unlikely.

It is believed that Varane is still in contact with a number of players and staff at the Bernabeu - with the defender still owning a property in Madrid - however there have been no discussions over a transfer in the New Year.

The 93-time international is supposedly reluctant to move clubs during the middle of a season, although the centre-back concedes that his current lack of minutes cannot continue past this campaign.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on December 12, 2023© Reuters

Varane has started just five Premier League fixtures for Man United this term, with Ten Hag often preferring the likes of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in his backline.

The Red Devils' sporting director John Murtough is said to have flown to Saudi Arabia to discuss potential transfers, with United looking to offload first-team stars such as Varane and Jadon Sancho in order to raise funds for future spending.

Ten Hag's men are currently eighth in the top-flight standings after their 2-0 loss at West Ham United on Saturday, with United sitting eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Varane is a doubt for his side's Boxing Day clash against title-chasing Aston Villa due to illness, meaning that Jonny Evans and youngster Willy Kambwala could start as the centre-back pairing once again.

ID:532169:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5323:

Raphael Varane future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Raphael Varane

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and football director John Murtough in the stands on May 22, 2022
Read Next:
Man United chief 'discusses futures of four players with Saudi clubs'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!