Man Utd duo 'spoke about Zinedine Zidane with teammates' as Erik Ten Hag fights for job

Raphael Varane and Casemiro reportedly aspired to Zinedine Zidane's leadership while they were together at Manchester United. Current boss Erik ten Hag is under pressure again after another choppy start to the Premier League and European campaign.

United's 0-0 draw against Aston Villa sent them to the international break after recording their worst start to a league season since 1989. Their Europa League campaign also began with disappointing draws against Porto and FC Twente.

Ten Hag's future looked uncertain when Sir Jim Ratcliffe gathered the club's top brass for a meeting in London last Tuesday, but United's hierarchy opted to retain the former Ajax manager. Considering reports from last season, United's midfield general Casemiro may not have been too happy with this situation.

The Athletic reported last season how Varane and Brazilian Casemiro were unhappy with the positional and physical demands that Ten Hag placed on them. The pair, who won numerous major titles with Real Madrid, reportedly told their United teammates that they much preferred Zidane's more hands-off approach.

When both men raised their concerns with the staff, they received a rather stark reminder that they were now playing in the Premier League, which is much tougher than La Liga. Varane ultimately left at the end of his contract this summer, while Casemiro remained at Old Trafford, despite being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Casemiro featured in the starting XI four times in the first seven Premier League matches but failed to make his mark with any goals or assists. As United continue to languish in 14th place, the pressure is mounting.

United have scored just five goals in the Premier League – only relegation fighters Southampton have found the net less. Although Ten Hag admits his team are not scoring enough goals, he was surprisingly satisfied after their boring draw.

He told Sky Sports: “We created a lot of chances in our seven games, but we have to step up our efforts. We have to take into account Hojlund's return, he is still in great shape.

“But others are stepping up. I was impressed with Rashford, Garnacho is also so good and Antony at the end. We know at the moment we are short of goals.

“From that point of view it's not a good start, we need to step up our efforts. It's an area we need to improve. But we have four clean sheets. It's good because we need to defend properly.”

United host Brentford on Saturday, then travel to Fenerbahce next Thursday – where they face former manager Jose Mourinho – in their next two matches.