Raphael Varane has seamlessly slotted in Manchester United’s backline since arriving over the summer from Real Madrid. Keeping a clean sheet and grabbing an assist on his debut, a 1-0 win against Wolves, Varane followed up with another assured performance in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle United. He was, in his third appearance, unable to prevent the second-half collapse against Young Boys. Varane ‘s first two starts were alongside captain Harry Maguire in a back four, though he lined up in a back three in Champions League with Maguire and Victor Lindelof as the Swiss side earned a 2-1 win in Berne. That partnership with Maguire looks like it will be manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred choice this season for United and Varane heaped praise on his new partner.
Raphael Varane said: “Yeah I think he [Harry] is a great player. I think we have to work hard to feel comfortable on the pitch. Every defender in this team, we have to feel connected on the pitch and we will be better together. We have to move together, we have to be motivated together. We have to be moving with one another so that’s an important connection and we have to feel comfortable on the pitch.”
Varane had a trophy-laden career while in Spain, highlighted by four Champions League and a World Cup win with France. Those four European titles were built on a foundation alongside Sergio Ramos, and while people have been quick to label Varane- Maguire the new Varane-Ramos, the Frenchman pointed out that he had a decade working day-in-day-out with the Spaniard.
Raphael Varane added: “With Sergio Ramos I had 10 years to know him and how he moved and how I have to move to be complementary with him. Every day we learn and every day we will do better and improve.”
Varane and Maguire are likely to be the starting centre-backs when United travel to east London to take on West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
