Medical expert shares Raphael Varane claim after behind-the-scenes Man United reveal
There are “no guarantees” of Man United star Raphael Varane maintaining his fitness despite undertaking an extensive off-season programme.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
New Man United boss Erik ten Hag told club media last week (6 August) that Varane has been following a “careful and individual training plan” for the last three weeks – and is yet to miss a session.
This news comes after the World Cup winner made just 20 Premier League starts in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Varane missed games through Covid-19, hamstring, groin, and muscle injuries – and Ten Hag insisted the best is “100%” yet to come from the centre-back in a Man United shirt.
However, Dinnery insisted work on the training ground is no substitute for the “unique” experience of playing in the English top flight.
“You can’t replicate the intensity of Premier League football on the training pitch,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“When there are players arriving into the country or stepping up from a youth development cycle – nothing is quite like the rigours of the Premier League, it’s quite unique.
“It’s very different to anything these kinds of players are used to.
“Varane had one or two muscular problems and a foot issue when he arrived. Sometimes those contact injuries can just happen, it’s part and parcel of the game.
“But it’s the soft tissue stuff that is a concern, and one of the red flags for that is fatigue.
“Varane had one or two issues with his hamstrings, so he’ll have focused on that area – really trying to address it, strengthen the hamstrings and work the glutes.
“But there are no guarantees.
“Jonjo Shelvey went away with a personal trainer and did four weeks of work, was apparently in his best shape ever – and he’s had a setback that will keep him out until December.”
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