Ex-Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has heavily criticised the club’s hierarchy, claiming that “a bit of everyone and a bit of no one” makes decisions.
Varane was halfway through his third season at United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority investment in the club, securing an initial stake of 25% which came with the power to control the sporting arm of the historic institution.
United recorded their lowest finish of the Premier League era under Ten Hag in 2023/24 but the new regime still handed the Dutchman a contract extension – a decision which left Varane “surprised”. “The connection with the group no longer existed,” the French defender exclusively told The Athletic.
“Even from the inside as a player, there wasn’t a clear structure on how things were going to work,” the former Real Madrid defender admitted. “There hasn’t been a fixed methodology for years. At Madrid they have a defined way of doing things at every level of the club. At Manchester it was not clear or defined enough to know how to recruit, how to play, how to communicate.”
Ratcliffe installed a fleet of executives to help provide the structure Varane clearly felt was lacking. Omar Berrada was poached from Manchester City as the club’s new CEO, Jason Wilcox arrived as technical director and Sir Dave Brailsford assumed nebulous control across the club as INEOS’ director of sport.
Varane framed this as too many cooks spoiling the broth. “There were too many people involved in the decision-making process, so we didn’t know who was really making the decisions,” the centre-back fretted. “I can’t say who was responsible, I don’t know. It was a bit of everyone and a bit of no one.”
After delivering a frank review of the club which wasn’t exactly glowing, Varane added: “I have so much respect and love for the club that I can only be positive. Even when I say things that aren’t going well, it’s well-intentioned and constructive. It’s not to point the finger at someone. I only wish the club well and hope they succeed.”
