Centre-back Varane moved to United from Real Madrid last summer for £36million and great things were expected of the multiple La Liga and Champions League winner.
But the 29-year-old’s first season at Old Trafford has been blighted with injury, while the Red Devils as a whole have suffered with poor form and behind-the-scenes turmoil.
The announcement that Ajax manager Ten Hag will be taking the reins at the club in the summer has lifted the mood however, and Silvestre has backed the Dutchman to get the best out of Varane.
‘I think this season has been difficult for him, but he has also missed a lot of games due to injury,’ Silvestre told Genting Casino.
‘Whenever he has had a run of games in the team, we have seen the Varane that played so well for Real Madrid.
‘The Arsenal match [last Saturday which United lost 3-1] was his first game after a long absence and he didn’t have the luck or the composure in his performance.
‘It was shaky start for the entire defence after conceding another early goal, and away from home that makes getting a positive result even more difficult.
‘He wasn’t at his best, but there are circumstances that contributed to that.’
Silvestre enjoyed a glittering nine-year career at United, winning ten trophies, and is sure his fellow countryman Varane, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, can follow in his footsteps.
‘He has what it takes to be the leader of the United defence,’ he added.
‘Individually, he is more than capable of stepping up and being one of the top defenders next season under the new manager.’
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