Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Dec 12, 2023 at 8pm UK

Old Trafford

Man Utd
0 - 1
Bayern

Antony (53'), Amrabat (61')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Coman (71')
Goretzka (88')

Erik ten Hag explains Raphael Varane inclusion against Bayern Munich

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 December 2023

Ten Hag explains Varane inclusion against Bayern

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag said that Raphael Varane's experience was a key reason why the Frenchman was included in the team's starting XI against Bayern Munich.

Varane has recently been out of favour at the back, with Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof all picked ahead of him in recent weeks.

However, the centre-back is in the XI for Tuesday's must-win Champions League contest against Bayern, being preferred to Evans, who is on the bench.

Lindelof is out through illness, but Ten Hag did have the option of keeping Shaw in central defence and naming Sergio Reguilon at left-back.

Ten Hag said ahead of the match that Varane's experience was one of the main reasons why he has recalled the 30-year-old for the European fixture in Manchester.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

"We need to be strong in defence today. He's very experienced. Especially against Bayern, we need to defend strongly," the manager told TNT Sports ahead of the clash.

Varane has been restricted to just 12 appearances for Man United this season, with his last start coming against Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24.

The defender has not featured in any of his side's last four league matches, and there had been claims that he had fallen-out with Ten Hag, but the ex-Real Madrid defender is in the XI tonight.

The same cannot be said for Marcus Rashford, as the England international is unwell, while an illness has also ruled Anthony Martial out, with Rasmus Hojlund being recalled at centre-forward.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on December 2, 2023 © Reuters

"You need a strong squad for this game. It limits your opportunities from the bench. Especially against Bayern, you have to put a lot of effort in, so you need the subs," Ten Hag added ahead of the match when asked about Rashford's absence.

"They can score, even when they're not in the game, because they have so much individual quality. They will always create chances.

"But they also have some weaknesses. So we have to be brave, and take your moments. When you only play around your own box, you will always lose against Bayern, because they will find a gap to score a goal."

Man United must beat Bayern and then hope that the other match in the section between Copenhagen and Galatasaray is a draw in order to advance to the last-16 stage of the competition.