Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville claims that Manchester United would be sending out the wrong message by extending the contracts of Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane.
The Red Devils have triggered their option to extend Lindelof’s stay at Old Trafford for another year, while they also want to hold talks about keeping Varane but, taking to X at the weekend, Neville said he disagrees with the club’s actions:
“If United are looking to renew Lindelof and Varane (on reduced terms) I’m worried We have to start afresh as much as possible.”
“Whilst these 2 aren’t bad players by any stretch, a message must be sent to everyone inside and outside of the club that it’s not going to tolerate the levels over the last few years.”
Lindelof’s extension does make some sense
While Neville and many other United supporters will feel that the Swedish international has not proven himself worthy of a new deal, the Red Devils had put themselves in a tricky position.
If they hadn’t triggered their clause in Lindelof’s contract, he would have left on a free transfer in July. At least this way the club can raise some money from selling him this summer if they choose to do so.
Varane’s future is a more difficult situation for United to handle
The Frenchman is the fifth-highest earner in the whole Premier League – taking home £340,000 a week. Considering he has missed 34 matches due to injury problems over the past 2 and a half years as well, there is a case for saying that he should be offloaded at the first opportunity, rather than offering him a new contract (albeit on a lower salary).
On his day, though, Varane is still one of the best centre-backs out there so it would still be a major risk if United decided to let him go.
