Varane backs Ten Hag stripping Maguire of Man Utd captaincy

Stuart Telford

• 22 Jul 2023 15:22 BST
• 3 min read

Raphael Varane has backed Erik ten Hag's decision to strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United captaincy, saying "we need players with character and personality."

Maguire was stripped of United's captaincy last Sunday, and despite taking to Twitter to state that: "I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt," it now appears unlikely he will play another competitive game for the Red Devils.

United know they won't receive anything like the £80 million they paid Leicester for Maguire in 2019 - still a world record fee for a centre-back - but around half that might secure his services, and London trio Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham have all been linked.

READ: London giants move for Harry Maguire

Varane and Maguire were paired in central defence more often than not two seasons ago, but the England defender lost his place to Lisandro Martinez last term, and Varane thinks Ten Hag has done the right thing.

Varane: 'Ten Hag wants a team with character'

"He wants a team with character and he's the leader so he has to show it himself," the French World Cup winner told ESPN. "He's not scared to take these decisions and take that responsibility. That is what we expect from the manager…

"We need players with character and personality. If you want to win big trophies you need that kind of character. The difference between a good team and a top team is sometimes something mental."

READ: Another HUMILATION for Maguire as Man Utd re-sign former star

While Varane and Martinez will be first-choice centre-backs next season, Victor Lindelof is their first deputy while Luke Shaw, a left-back by trade, can also slot in.

Club legend Jonny Evans was also re-signed following his release by Leicester in order to take part in the pre-season tour of the United States. Whilst the Northern Irishman has a short-term deal, he could plausibly be brought in as extra cover for the coming campaign.