Raphael Varane’s debut for Como in the Coppa Italia was marked by a premature and disheartening turn of events. Taking to the field against Sampdoria, Varane’s much-anticipated first appearance was abruptly cut short after just 20 minutes. Despite his determination to walk off the pitch under his own power, the discomfort was evident, and the Como medical staff promptly escorted him to the sidelines. His visible pain painted a stark picture of the severity of the situation, leaving fans and teammates concerned about the nature of his injury.
**Concerns About Varane’s Fitness**
As of now, the specifics of Varane’s injury remain uncertain, casting a cloud of worry over his debut. This early setback is particularly disconcerting given Varane’s history with fitness issues, which were a notable factor in Manchester United’s decision not to renew his contract. Over the course of three seasons with United, Varane’s appearances in the Premier League were notably inconsistent. In the 2021/22 season, he made 22 appearances; in the 2022/23 season, he managed 24; but by the 2023/24 season, his starts had dwindled to just 16. This record indicates a troubling pattern of declining participation, with Varane starting only 58 out of 113 Premier League games during his tenure—slightly over 50%.
The concerns surrounding Varane’s fitness were one of the driving reasons behind Manchester United’s decision to part ways with him. While his replacement, Leny Yoro, has also encountered his share of injury problems, Varane’s continued struggles suggest that United’s choice to move on was a sound one. This situation highlights the complex challenge that clubs face in managing aging players who have a history of injuries. Balancing the need for experienced defenders against the risks of recurring fitness issues remains a persistent issue in professional football.
Varane’s disappointing debut for Como not only raises immediate concerns about his fitness but also underscores the challenges Manchester United faced with him. His latest injury casts a shadow over his future prospects with Como, reflecting a broader issue of managing players with a history of injury problems. Despite the difficulties faced by Varane’s successor at United, the ongoing fitness issues that Varane is experiencing suggest that the club’s decision to move on may have been a prudent step, shedding light on the ongoing difficulties of managing players with a history of injuries in professional sports.