Raphael Varane calls out his Man United teammates for not applauding the fans who had been left behind after his hammering at Liverpool… and Steve McClaren also urges the players to acknowledge the visiting winger at Anfield.
- The Frenchman gestured to his teammates to applaud the visiting fans
- Manchester United players sadly left the field after a heavy defeat.
- Steve McLaren was also on hand to insist that they recognize the away section.
Raphael Varane vociferously urged his Manchester United teammates to acknowledge the visiting fans after the tough 7-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
United’s players emerged from the Anfield pitch, perhaps understandably wanting the ground to swallow them up, heads bowed after falling in the club’s heaviest defeat since 1931.
However, Varane and Steve McClaren, one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants, were on hand to insist that they come and recognize the few hundred supporters who bravely remained.
Sky Sports cameras after the match, as the numbers swelled on the pitch, caught Varane gesturing wildly and yelling at his teammates to come over and applaud the fans.
United supporters on social media took note of Varane’s leadership skills at that particular moment, particularly against the backdrop of Bruno Fernandes’ petulant behavior throughout the game.
Raphael Varane urged his teammates to recognize the visiting winger after the tough defeat
Varane was filmed gesturing to his teammates not to leave the field without acknowledgment from the traveling section.
In the footage, Varane can be seen shouting at his United teammates, including David de Gea, as they walk past him.
“My great Varane, thanks for the applause, you value our time and our energy,” said a supporter of Varane’s efforts after the match.
In footage shared from Anfield by Laurie Whitwell, Varane and McCaren’s insistence that the players make an effort became increasingly clear, and indeed had a noticeable impact.
Standing on the touchline, McClaren urged all the United players to walk and pass him to the other end.
With youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia walking with their heads low, the former England manager pointed them in the direction of the other end.
Reports recently surfaced detailing the respect and admiration the current team has for the assistant, and that was on full display here, with both players immediately turning sharply to acknowledge the quickly emptying away section.
Varane’s merit comes amid strong criticism directed at Fernandes for his behavior on the field during the defeat.
Gary Neville, speaking afterwards, said his petulance on the pitch turned into a ’embarrassment’.
Questions have been raised about the validity of Bruno Fernandes keeping the bracelet
‘I’m going to start with Bruno Fernandes,’ said a furious Neville. ‘I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms around his teammates; I’ve had enough of him not running back; he complains about everyone.
He added: ‘They pushed him in the chest and he fell clutching his face. He has to show the performance of a captain and that was not the performance of a captain from a Manchester United player.”
“Fernandes’ body language today was embarrassing,” added fellow pundit Roy Keane.
He is a very talented boy, he is your captain. But the body language of him, waving his arms without running back, you wouldn’t be happy with him.