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“Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down. I want to make an impact here and I will give everything to become part of this club’s illustrious history.”
Raphael Varane sounded like a man motivated to add another trophy-laden entry to his illustrious career when he was unveiled as a United player in August 2021. The club invested £40 million ($49m) in the 28-year-old after his decision to reject a new contract at Real Madrid, which felt like a shrewd piece of business at the time.
After 10 seasons, 360 appearances, four Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns, Varane left Santiago Bernabeu as a Real legend. But the Spanish giants haven't missed him. Los Blancos stormed to a league and European double in their first season without Varane, who must have secretly regretted leaving after a disastrous debut year at Old Trafford. He struggled to adapt to life in English football and battled niggling injuries as United fell to sixth in the Premier League.
The appointment of Erik ten Hag sparked a return to form for Varane in 2022-23, though, as he forged a formidable partnership with new signing Lisandro Martinez. That solid foundation at the back was crucial as the Red Devils returned to the Champions League places while also ending a five-year trophy drought with success in the Carabao Cup.
Despite entering his 30s, Varane was still proving he could deliver at the highest level and deservedly had a guaranteed place in Ten Hag's starting XI. But in the space of just a few months, that dynamic has completely changed.
The World Cup winner has suddenly dropped to fourth in United's centre-back pecking order, and can't even get in the team ahead of Jonny Evans - the 35-year-old warhorse who re-joined the club on a surprise free transfer in the summer window. Varane doesn't have any cause to complain, either.
United now look like a more cohesive unit in Varane's absence, and it's difficult to see any way back for him. So what exactly has gone so wrong for the former Madrid talisman?