Paul Scholes claims Erik ten Hag can’t rely on ‘bad on the ball’ Raphael Varane as he explains why Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire have become first-choice centre backs at Man United

Paul Scholes believes Erik ten Hag has turned to Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans because they’re better on the ball than Raphael Varane, whom the Manchester United manager cannot rely upon.

The Frenchman was United’s first choice centre-back when fit last season, but has surprisingly lost his place to Evans this term after the 35-year-old returned to Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer.

The Northern Irishman has started the last four Premier League games ahead of Varane and was given the nod on Wednesday night, as United lost 4-3 to Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Maguire, meanwhile, lost his place in the starting XI last season and was on the verge of leaving the club after being stripped of the captaincy in the summer.

The England international eventually remained at Old Trafford after a move to West Ham broke down and has since forced his way back into the team because of Lisandro Martinez‘s injury.

Ten Hag has picked Evans and Maguire as his starting centre-backs in four of the last five matches in the Premier League and the Champions League

Up until this season, Maguire and Evans last started a game together for Leicester in December 2019 and Scholes suggested ten Hag’s reliance on the pair was worrying for United. 

‘I actually think he’s playing Maguire and Evans at centre-half because he thinks they’re the two best ball-playing centre-halves,’ the former United midfielder told TNT Sports. 

‘Which in itself is a bit of a worry.’  

So far this season, United have conceded 16 goals in 11 Premier League matches and 11 in their four Champions League outings.

Scholes suggested the defensive frailty could be traced back to injuries that have deprived ten Hag of his first-choice options so far this season.

Luke Shaw last played in the defeat to Tottenham on August 19, while Martinez has…