When Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes over as manager of Manchester United, he will have to make a choice about the futures of Casemiro and Raphael Varane.

United paid Real Madrid a total of £112 million for Casemiro and Varane, despite the fact that they were 30 and 28 years old when they arrived at Old Trafford on expensive, long-term contracts.

Both were vital in Erik ten Hag’s excellent debut season at the club, but have faltered this season and enter the January transfer window with their futures in doubt.

Casemiro appeared out of shape and fitness at the start of the season, and he will be sidelined until after Christmas due to a hamstring injury. The Brazilian has been linked with a January move to Saudi Arabia. Even if he stays, his future will most likely be discussed in the summer.

Meanwhile, Varane has fallen out of favor with Ten Hag to the point where their relationship is nearly over. After being dropped for the Manchester derby last month, Varane is said to have had an open discussion, and he has only made three substitute appearances since.

The 30-year-old is thought to be upset that Jonny Evans was chosen ahead of him, and Victor Lindelof was subsequently chosen to play alongside Harry Maguire against Luton Town two weeks ago after Evans was injured.

“Maguire took his chance when Varane was absent. When the moment is there, you take it and the other has to fight back,” Ten Hag told beIN Sports on Thursday.

Bayern Munich have shown an interest in signing Varane in January for a fee of £25 million, but the Germans are unlikely to be able to afford his £340,000-a-week salary. United have talked about replacements, although signing Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo could create a conflict of interest due to Ratcliffe’s ownership of the French club.