Manchester United finally got off the mark in the Europa League with an easy 2-0 victory against Sheriff Tiraspol in their Group E encounter on Thursday.
Both goals came in the first half with Jadon Sancho opening the scoring before Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot to secure all three points.
Erik ten Hag returned to his trusted starting line-up with Ronaldo in place of Marcus Rashford, the only change from Arsenal’s game.
And the decision was vindicated when the team put on a fully mature performance, controlling the game and hardly allowing any chances for the opposition.
The Dutch coach had commented before the game on the dangers that Sheriff poses and the local team started strongly. And after losing to Real Sociedad in their first game, United needed to get all the points from this one.
And that is why Ten Hag chose to start Raphael Varane together with Lisandro Martínez and the duo was impeccable at all times.
Varane the game changer
Since the first two defeats to Brighton and Brentford in the Premier League, Varane has come on to shore up the leaky defense and has proven to be the catalyst behind United’s solid run.
In the five games he has started this season, United have conceded just two goals and kept three clean sheets. A far cry from the horror show of last season.
He replaced the club’s patron, Harry Maguire, and his performances have meant that the England international hardly has a chance in the starting eleven.
Man United with Varane this season:
495 minutes 2 goals conceded 5 wins in 6 games
Man United without Varane this season:
135 minutes6 goals conceded0 wins in 2 games pic.twitter.com/VQ8NPo9tQH
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 16, 2022
Ten Hag was quick to acknowledge the importance of France’s World Cup winner to the cause, calling him a leader in the rear.
“The reason (for another clean sheet) is that we had good possession and defended very well,” Ten Hag told MUTV. “With Rapha Varane as the leader, he puts everyone in the right position, he fits in very well together with Licha Martinez and also the two full-backs did their job very well.”
Varane was absent for most of pre-season and Ten Hag commented that the Frenchman was following a specialist training program and that it has worked out wonderfully so far.
United legend Rio Ferdinand had talked about how a proper pre-season would see United bring out the best in the former Real Madrid star and that has been the case.
With the Manchester Derby next month, United fans will be praying their French talisman returns from international duty injury-free.
