There is no doubting his service to the club, but if that was all that was required then he would be wearing the armband already as the senior citizen and arguably a living-legend at United. He has also shown accountability in the past, holding his gloves up to take the responsibility and scrutiny for the defeat at Brentford in August, incurring the majority of the media's wrath. However, the Spaniard is the only regular star to have won the Premier League at the club, and has written himself into the club's record books as their tenth-highest appearance maker and now has more clean sheets than any other player in their history. As long as he can stay fit, he could prove a capable leader for a ship that on occasion is painfully without a rudder.ĭavid de Gea is the longest serving player currently in the United squad, set to reach 12 years at Old Trafford this summer, but despite that position of seniority in the dressing room, has not captained the side since October 2019. United are not blessed with many leaders in the side, and with the squad bearing the scars of multiple attempted rebuilds, nor do they have many players with a considerable stint at Old Trafford under their belts.īut Varane represents arguably the best option for Erik ten Hag given his experience in the game at the highest level. Last season he managed only 22 league appearances, missing 17 games in total, and has already been ruled out of eight fixtures in 2022-23. However, concerns remain over his fitness, which has ailed him since his arrival at the club. His English has improved massively since his transfer in summer 2021, and there would be little concern over his ability to communicate with his team-mates in the heat of battle. He has eight clean sheets in all competitions and has led by example with 51 duels won, 68 clearances, 20 tackles, 78 recoveries and 10 interceptions in the Premier League. It is Varane who has led the resurgent Manchester United defence that has been the linchpin of their success this season. He has been seen giving on-field guidance to Aaron Wan Bissaka, possessing the wherewithal to put his arm around a struggling team-mate. On Sunday, while Fernandes was storming off towards the tunnel at Anfield, it was the Frenchman who was imploring with his team-mates to applaud the devastated travelling fans. Name it, he's won it.Īnd although leadership is about far more than winning, a club with the prestige and the ambitions of Manchester United have to be led by a figure that has proven themselves capable of lifting the biggest honours.īut there is far more to Varane than a bulging trophy cabinet. Varane rivals Casemiro for his wealth of success at club level, and was a stalwart in the French side that lifted the World Cup in 2018. United's French defender is arguably the favourite to take over at Old Trafford - and for good reason, too. There has been no indication from Ten Hag that there will be a change in the guard, but if United are to press forward with the genuine promise they have shown this season, the sulking Portuguese midfielder is surely out of the question. ![]() With concerns over his ability to lead the side pre-dating the 7-0 defeat in which he proved oblivious of the need to galvanise his side and be the catalyst for change, such a performance can only serve to harm his hopes of inheriting the role. ![]() ![]() There has been indication from sources close to United that the player's histrionics - which included diving, arguing, finger-pointing, arm-waving and a general lack of positive influence - left many of his team-mates irritated. Under his stewardship the club ended their six-year wait for a major trophy, and although he is undoubtedly one of the Red Devils' leading performers on the pitch with seven goals and 11 assists, he showed an inability to lead by example at Anfield. The current captain-in-waiting has taken the armband in 31 of his 40 showings for the club this season, and his leadership had been largely incident-free until Sunday's woeful display.
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