Robert Pires backs Manchester United signing Raphael Varane to do well alongside Harry Maguire

Raphael Varane will form an excellent partnership alongside Harry Maguire at Manchester United this season, according to Arsenal legend Robert Pires (h/t Metro).

The French international will soon be signing for Manchester United after an agreement was struck with Real Madrid last week over a £39million move. And Varane has been backed by compatriot Robert Pires to gel alongside Harry Maguire at the back for the club this season. Pires said: 

‘Yes, Raphael will certainly adapt to English football. Surely there will be matches in which he will suffer physical clashes, but he is now a player of great experience. I see him well paired with Maguire, they will form an excellent duo.’

Varane, who is a more reserved character, complements Harry Maguire well. While the Englishman likes to carry the ball out of defence, Varane’s natural speed and ability to fill the gaps makes them a compatible pair at the back for the Red Devils. 

Moreover, with Manchester United having lost four semi-finals and one final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it was important to bring a serial winner in the ranks, something Raphael Varane certainly adds up to. 

The Frenchman has played in a dozen finals, and he has won every single one of them while he also played every single minute of France’s 2018 World Cup victory. Thus, signing the player could be an indication that Solskjaer wants to inculcate the winning mentality in his team, something the Norwegian certainly had back when he donned the United jersey as a player.

Varane will be Manchester United’s second signing this summer after the club also sealed a £73million move for Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to compete for the biggest titles again this season.