Erik ten Hag asserts that there’s no conflict between him and Raphael Varane despite the Manchester United player facing challenges in getting playing time.

The ex-France international previously established a strong defensive duo with Lisandro Martinez last season, reminiscent of the reliable pairing seen in the days of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. However, Martinez is currently sidelined until at least December. This season, Varane has faced challenges, with Harry Maguire and Johnny Evans forming their own defensive partnership in recent weeks. Varane started just one of United’s last seven games and was tactically excluded from the Manchester City derby. In a recent match against FC Copenhagen, Evans sustained an early injury, leading to Varane replacing him, but he faced difficulties against the Danish champions.

On Friday, ten Hag emphasized that there’s no disagreement between him and Varane, attributing the limited starts to the significance of building effective defensive partnerships.

Maguire’s renaissance at Old Trafford has also played a key role in his defensive set up this season.

‘Absolutely not,’ Ten Hag said if there was a wider issue between him and Varane. ‘As I said, it is about tactical reasons why I chose these partnerships. I think Harry and Jonny did well.”

Varane aims to make a comeback against Luton on Saturday, especially with Evans sidelined. However, the presence of Victor Lindelof adds an element of uncertainty to his potential return.

“There are moments in certain games where they (Maguire and Varane) can play together and they have already proven they can do it.”

‘But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position.

‘Because I think Licha, obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles.

‘Then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play.’