In a recent report, The Guardian mentioned that Manchester United are keeping tabs on Real Madrid defensive ace Raphael Varane this summer. It is understood that the Red Devils are monitoring the French centre-back as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to strengthen his defensive options for the new campaign (via The Guardian).
Varane’s Solid Season In La Liga
Varane continued to flourish at the heart of the Madrid backline last season by performing at a high level but couldn’t manage to help his team win the La Liga title or the UEFA Champions League trophy. The 28-year-old appeared in 41 matches for Los Blancos in the previous campaign, netting two goals in the process across all competitions.
The France international caught the eye by averaging 0.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 3.5 clearances per game in La Liga last season. He even distributed the ball with a lot of conviction after making 89.6% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top-flight (stats via whoscored).
At 28, Varane is playing some of the best football of his playing career and seems to enjoy the pressure of playing in high-profile matches for his team. Plus, he has won a lot of trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium which makes him a great option for the Red Devils to consider this summer.
What Will The French Centre-Back Bring To The Theatre Of Dreams?
Varane is a terrific one-on-one defender as he can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his side. He is often quick to snuff out the danger and can make some important clearances at the back. Standing at 1.91m, the 79-time France international can use his strength to dominate the opposition and win some crucial 50-50 aerial duels on the defensive end of the field. He is even a threat in the air from offensive set-pieces and can chip in with the odd goal from time to time.
A centre-half of Varane’s skillset will be a sensational signing for the Red Devils as he will enhance the quality of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first XI considerably for the coming seasons. He has a serial winner who would make an immediate impact at Old Trafford and bring a winning mindset to Solskjar’s dressing room.
Varane could go on to form a solid defensive partnership with Harry Maguire at the Theatre of Dreams as he ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Solskjaer demands from his central defenders. Recruiting Varane will be quite a big statement from Man United as he is a player who could help them bridge the gap to Manchester City and end their long wait for the Premier League title next season.
