Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has revealed that he came close to signing for the Red Devils in 2011 when he was at French side Lens.
Raphael Varane currently plies his trade for Manchester United after the Red Devils signed from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window of 2021. But Manchester United could have landed the Frenchman a decade earlier had they not changed their mind.
Manchester United was linked with a move for Raphael Varane in 2011, but a deal never materialized. But Varane would soon earn himself a move to a big European club as Real Madrid came calling in the same year.
Raphael Varane established himself as one of the best defenders in the world during his time at Real Madrid, for whom he played between 2011 and 2021. The now 29-year-old won a number of titles with Real Madrid during his time at the Spanish club, including four Champions League titles.
Raphael Varane reveals he was very close to joining Manchester United as a teenager
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Speaking to the Daily Mail, Raphael Varane revealed he was very close to joining Manchester United before the Red Devils changed their mind and he eventually signed for Real Madrid.
“I was very close to coming here,” Raphael Varane told Daily Mail. “I think we were agreed, Lens and Manchester, but then, I don’t know, I think Manchester changed their mind. Another opportunity would arrive and the Bernabeu wasn’t bad!
“I’ve spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson since I came here but not about what happened then, it is a long story and I didn’t want to say anything negative. I have too much respect for him.”
Meanwhile, Raphael Varane made 360 appearances for Real Madrid during his time with the La Liga behemoths.
Raphael Varane has established himself as a key player for Manchester United. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has mostly preferred the centre-back partnership between Varane and Lisandro Martinez this season.
Varane has so far featured in 22 games across all competitions for Manchester United so far in the ongoing 22/23 campaign. 17 of his appearances have come in Premier League, where the Red Devils have played 24 matches.
Meanwhile, Varane will be aiming to win his first trophy with Manchester United when the Old Trafford outfit square off with Newcastle United in the final of the EFL Cup. The match between Man Utd and Newcastle United kicks off at 10:00 pm Indian Standard Time on February 26.