Manchester United

The former Real Madrid man was a cornerstone of the Dutchman's successful debut season, forging a formidable partnership with Lisandro Martinez in front of David de Gea.

With Varane and Martinez linking arms in defence, Man United finished third in the Premier League to return to the Champions League, while also ending their trophy drought in the EFL Cup.

However, the former France international has often found himself among the substitutes in the 2023-24 campaign, even with Martinez struggling with a recurrence of his foot injury.

Victor Lindelof and the resurgent Harry Maguire have sometimes been preferred in defence to Varane, as has Jonny Evans, who returned to Old Trafford on a short-term deal last summer.

Varane's lack of starts in the first half of the season led to rumours that the 31-year-old had experienced a breakdown in his relationship with Ten Hag, although the Man United boss denied the existence of such a rift.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils are yet to activate the 12-month extension in Varane's contract, which only runs until the end of the season, meaning that he can currently speak to foreign clubs before a potential free transfer in the summer.

During the January transfer window, both Lens and Real Madrid were said to have been interested in reuniting with Varane, who was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but the market closed with the defender still at the Theatre of Dreams.

Varane has since made the first XI on regular occasions for the Red Devils, although he was dropped for Sunday's 3-0 win over West Ham United, where Maguire and Martinez were preferred at the back.

According to Football Insider, despite Ten Hag's affirmations, Varane and his manager did fall out behind the scenes after the Frenchman was snubbed for October's Manchester derby, but they have since made peace with one another.

Nevertheless, Man United are believed to be happy to let Varane depart at the end of the season, as the centre-back - who has started just nine Premier League games in 2023-24 - is supposedly earning in the region of £340,000 per week.

The four-time Champions League winner has two goals and one assist under his belt from 84 matches in a Red Devils jersey, and he was brought on for the final 19 minutes of the win over West Ham due to another injury blow for Martinez.

Concerned teammates surrounded the Argentine when he went down clutching his knee in the second half, and Ten Hag admitted straight away that Martinez's issue looked to be severe.

As a result, Varane will likely earn an immediate recall to the starting lineup when Man United continue their Premier League campaign away to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, where the Red Devils will bid to close the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who lie six points better off than Ten Hag's side.