It has recently been announced that going forward this season, games will have more injury time this season. This aim is to accurately reflect stoppages in play. This can be anything from injuries to players taking longer to take set pieces.
This week saw footballers come out criticising the FA for not collaborating with players nor caring for their welfare. We caught up with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker who weighed in on the conversation.
Manchester United players like Varane should stop whining about the schedule
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane took to social media earlier this week in anger at the new injury time and dissent rules, claiming they are “damaging our game” and players are “not being heard.” League’s globally have been instructed to more accurately calculate time lost to stoppages this season, including goal celebrations and VAR checks.
Former United defender Parker disagrees with the Frenchman and suggests Varane should “stop complaining.” He argues that footballers at the top level, like Varane, have it easier and should focus on playing as many games as possible.
“Stop moaning, Varane. Start concentrating and play as many games as possible. You’re a footballer, you’re not digging roads or working in a foundry.”
“The vast majority of the players are not complaining about the number of games. Managers are using it as an excuse when they have a bad time but if you’re a successful team you have to play a minimum 55 games per season and as a player you should be able to play every single game.”
“It’s easy nowadays to fake an injury if you don’t want to play. He should try to play for a team in the bottom of the league because that takes a man’s man to fight week in and week out.
“When you’re playing at Manchester United and you’re whining about too many games you should look yourself in the mirror.”
Playing In The Football League Is Tougher Than The Premier League
However, Parker doesn’t stop there. He argues that life in the Premier League is much easier than the workload bestowed upon players in the Football League. Whilst Premier League players would typically play 38 games across the season including cup competitions, the Football League sides play 46 which could include the play off and cup competitions.
“Playing in the Championship, League One and League Two is tough. They are playing a lot of games. In the lower league they are playing more league games than Varane, they have their own individual cup competition, they have the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup and they are not moaning about the number of games.
“They still have mortgages to pay, they have a car to pay off and of course they have a family as well. Football is their life and everything they want to be is a footballer and they are working their ass off to become that.“
‘Premier League Players Are Earning So Much Money’
If you thought Parker was done with his rant, you’re wrong. The ex-England left back also argues that Premier League players like Varane are earning well from their careers.
Varane has struggled with injuries during his time at United and Parker makes his feelings on the matter clear. He believes Varane has disrespected the league with his comments and should focus on staying fit for the duration of the season.
“But the players in the Premier League are earning so much money and they don’t have to play every week. They are still getting their money and their life is already settled.
“In my opinion, a player like Raphael Varane who comes across to play in another country, should respect the league and find out what real football is actually like before he comes out with a statement like that. He should have a look at how few games he actually plays.”
Manchester United are set to get their 2023/24 Premier League campaign underway on Monday 14th August 2023, as they host Wolves. The Red Devils are priced at 1/3 on bet365 to win this match, whilst Wolves are priced at a sizeable 8/1 with the same bookmaker. Be sure to use the bet365 bonus code when signing up to this operator, as they’re one of the best betting sites in the business, and offer free bets to new customers.
